A difference between diffusion and osmosis is :
Difference between Osmosis and DIffusion: Any type of substance moves from area of highest energy or concentration to region of lowest energy or concentration. | Only water or another solvent moves from a region of high energy or concentration to a region of lower energy or concentration. |
Diffusion can occur in any medium, whether it is liquid, solid, or gas. | Osmosis only occurs in a liquid medium. |
Diffusion does not require a semipermeable membrane. | Osmosis requires a semipermeable membrane. |
Concentration of the diffusion substance equalizes to fill the available space. | Concentration of solvent does not become equal on both sides of the membrane. |
Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure to not normally apply to diffusion. | Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure oppose osmosis. |
Does not depend on solute potential, pressure potential, or water potential. | Depends on solute potential. |
Diffusion mainly depends on the presence of other particles. | Osmosis mainly depends on the number of solute particles dissolved in the solvent. |
Diffusion is a passive process. | Osmosis is also a passive process. |
The movement in diffusion is to equalize concentration (energy) throughout the system. | The movement in osmosis seeks to equalize solvent concentration (although it does not achieve this). |