Osmosis Questions!

1. What is osmosis? Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration through a semi permeable membrane.
2. What is diffusion? Diffusion is the movement of substances from a higher concentration to a lower concentration through a permeable membrane.
3. What is the difference between the two? The difference is that osmosis is more specifically water molecules, while diffusion is the general substance.
4. Is energy used in either process? No, energy is not needed.
5. What is a concentration gradient?  Give an example. A concentration gradient is when there is an uneven distribution between substances over a distance.
6. How do the terms solute and solvent fit in learning about osmosis and diffusion? Solutes and Solvents are the substances that are the results of osmosis and diffusion. The Solutes are the substances being dissolved while the Solvents are the substances that dissolve the Solutes. They are the two concentrations left after osmosis and diffusion occur.
7. Is water always a solvent?  Why or why not? Water is always solvent because it cannot be dissolved.

What I Learned From The Osmosis Websites!

Osmosis was pretty confusing at first, but now I think I know what it is. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration, through a semi permeable membrane. It's basically diffusion, but more specifically with water. I also learned about the Isotonics, the Hypertonics, and the Hypotonics. Hypertonics are more solute, Hypotonics are more solvent, and Isotonics are fixed. I learned about the concentration gradients, too! A concentration gradient is when there is an uneven distribution between substances across a distance. It takes energy to go against a concentration gradient but it doesn't take energy to flow with it. That's what I learned about osmosis in the websites!