Question

Which of the following statements does not apply to reverse osmosis?

• A. It is used for water purification
• B. In this technique, pressure greater than osmotic pressure is applied to the system
• C. It is a passive process
• D. It is an active process

Answer 1

The correct option is C It is a passive process

Osmosis is passive transport where water follows down the gradient across a semi-permeable membrane from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. Reverse osmosis simply means that the cumulative pressure gradients cause the flow of water molecules to go against the osmotic pressure gradient from a lower concentration to the higher concentration.

As the process of reverse osmosis requires energy for transporting molecules against the concentration gradient, it is an active process.

So, the correct answer is 'It is a passive process'