What is a simple definition of diffusion?
What is a simple definition of diffusion?
1 : the act of spreading or allowing to spread freely. 2 : the mixing of particles of liquids or gases so that they move from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration. diffusion. noun.
What is a diffusion in biology?
diffusion, process resulting from random motion of molecules by which there is a net flow of matter from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration.
What is diffusion in cell transport?
Active Transport: molecules move across cell membranes by two major processes diffusion or active transport. Diffusion is the movement from a high concentration of molecules to a low concentration of molecules. Molecules can diffuse across membranes through the phospholipid bilayer or using a special protein.
What is diffusion and osmosis?
In diffusion, particles move from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. In osmosis, a semipermeable membrane is present, so only the solvent molecules are free to move to equalize concentration.
What happens during diffusion?
During diffusion, molecules are said to flow down their concentration gradient, flowing from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Molecules flowing down a concentration gradient is a natural process and does not require energy.
What is osmosis short answer?
osmosis, the spontaneous passage or diffusion of water or other solvents through a semipermeable membrane (one that blocks the passage of dissolved substances—i.e., solutes). The process, important in biology, was first thoroughly studied in 1877 by a German plant physiologist, Wilhelm Pfeffer.
What is difference between diffusion and osmosis with examples?
Osmosis can only function in a liquid medium, but diffusion can occur in all three mediums (solid, liquid and gas). Furthermore, osmosis requires a semi-permeable membrane, while diffusion does not. The intake of water in plants is an example of osmosis.
What causes diffusion?
The kinetic energy of the molecules results in random motion, causing diffusion. In simple diffusion, this process proceeds without the aid of a transport protein. it is the random motion of the molecules that causes them to move from an area of high concentration to an area with a lower concentration.
What is osmosis kid definition?
Kids Definition of osmosis : a passing of material and especially water through a membrane (as of a living cell) that will not allow all kinds of molecules to pass. osmosis.
What is difference between osmosis and reverse osmosis?
In natural osmosis, the freshwater will cross the semipermeable membrane and dilutes the concentrated solution. In reverse osmosis, the pressure is applied towards the concentrated aqueous solution and the water molecules are forced to cross the membrane towards the freshwater.
What happens diffusion?
Diffusion occurs when particles spread. They move from a region where they are in high concentration to a region where they are in low concentration. Diffusion happens when the particles are free to move. This is true in gases and for particles dissolved in solutions – but diffusion does not occur in solids.
What is diffusion vs osmosis?