The correct answer is option A. A semipermeable membrane is required for osmosis while diffusion requires no semipermeable membrane.
Explanation
What Are Diffusion and Osmosis?
- Diffusion: It is the movement of particles (solute or solvent) from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. No semipermeable membrane is required.
- Osmosis: It is the movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. Osmosis is specific to solvent molecules and always involves a semipermeable membrane.
What is the Difference between Diffusion and Osmosis?
Property | Diffusion | Osmosis |
Definition | Movement of particles from high to low concentration. | Movement of solvent through a semipermeable membrane. |
Semipermeable Membrane | Not required. | Required. |
Direction of Movement | Occurs in all directions. | Solvent moves to the area of higher solute concentration. |
Substance Moved | Solutes and solvents can move. | Only the solvent moves. |
Example | Perfume spreading in air. | Water absorption by plant roots. |
Based on the differentiation:
Osmosis fundamentally requires a semipermeable membrane to regulate the selective movement of solvent molecules. Without this membrane, the process cannot occur. Diffusion, on the other hand, is a general movement of particles and does not involve a semipermeable barrier.
This core distinction justifies why option A is the correct choice, as it highlights the necessity of a semipermeable membrane exclusively for osmosis.
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