Question

A cell membrane regulates which substances can enter and leave the cell based upon their size and polarity. Which mode of the cell transport is the movement of water down its concentration gradient?

• A. Facilitated diffusion
• B. Osmosis
• C. Simple diffusion
• D. Passive transport
• E. Active transport

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Osmosis

A. Facilitated diffusion is the passive movement of molecules along their concentration gradient with the help of membrane proteins known as channel proteins or carrier proteins.

B. Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules through a semipermeable or a differentially permeable membrane along the concentration gradient.

C. Simple diffusion is the net movement of particles of a substance from a region of greater or higher concentration to a region of lower concentration due to their own intrinsic kinetic energy.

D. In Passive transport, molecules are carried from a higher concentration to a lower concentration along the concentration gradient without the utilisation of ATP.

E. In Active transport, molecules are carried from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration against the concentration gradient with the utilisation of ATP.

So, the correct answer is Osmosis.