How Osmosis And Diffusion Happen In Selectively Permeable Membranes

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The Purpose of this lab was to observe how osmosis and diffusion happen in selectively permeable membranes. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a high area of concentration to a low concentration [1]. Osmosis is the result of diffusion of water across a membrane. Diffusion mainly occurs in gas or liquid molecules. Osmosis occurs when the outside of the cell has a higher water concentration than the cell itself. Diffusion helps exchange gases during photosynthesis, which then creates energy. Osmosis distributes nutrients and releases waste products. Osmosis regulates hydration, because water molecules are free to pass across the cell membrane in both directions; either in or out [2]. Selective permeable membranes are what allow certain molecules to pass through the cell and keep certain molecules out of the cell. In the lab we saw how membrane permeability and solute concentration affect the speed and direction. Osmosis moves down the concentration gradient [2], and diffusion goes from a high…show more content…
This motion causes molecules to run into each other and move in different directions. This motion is what triggers diffusion; osmosis is a form of diffusion involving the movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane. Water moves readily across cell membranes through protein lined channels. Whether there is movement of water molecules into or out of the cell and which direction to moves depends on weather the cell’s environment is isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic[3]. When two environments are isotonic, the concentration is the same in both. In an hypotonic solution the concentration of the dissolved solute is less than that of another solution of less than the cell itself. In a hypertonic solution the concentration of dissolved solutes is greater than the concentration of another solute or greater than the concentration of the cell. Water is isotonic and moves freely across the cell
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