Question
Is osmosis a type of active trans port or a type of diffusion?
Answer
4
(181 Votes)
Whitney
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Osmosis is a type of diffusion.
Explanation
Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion. Diffusion is a passive movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration, unassisted by proteins within the cellular membrane. Osmosis behaves similarly, but focuses specifically on the migration of a solvent (normally water) through a semipermeable membrane. Active transport, on the other hand, involves the use of energy, usually in the form of ATP hydrolysis, to move substances against their concentration, from a lower to a higher concentration. As a result, osmosis is a type of diffusion, not active transport.