Question

What is osmosis? Is it a special type of diffusion?

Answer 1

Osmosis:

• “Osmosis is the term used to refer specifically the diffusion of water across a differentially or selectively permeable membrane.”
• Yes, osmosis is a special type of diffusion because in both cases there is a movement of particles from a higher concentration region to a lower concentration region.
• In the process of osmosis, particle movement takes place from the region of higher concentration to lower concentration via the semi-permeable membrane.

Example:

• Water intake by the roots of the plant.
• The red blood cells swell in freshwater, due to osmosis.