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Osmosis

Key concepts in biology · Transport in cells · note 2 of 5

OsmosisSpec 1.15

Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane. A partially permeable membrane lets small molecules such as water through, but not larger molecules.

Osmosis is a passive process. It does not need energy from respiration.

A partially permeable membrane with dilute sugar solution on the left and concentrated sugar solution on the right; small water molecules pass through the membrane to the concentrated side while larger sugar molecules cannot cross.Tap to enlarge
Osmosis: water moves from the dilute solution to the concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.