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by ray_ray232 on December 4th, 2006

ray_ray232

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What is the difference between diffusion and osmosis?

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by BioNowCommMajor on December 10th, 2006

    BioNowCommMajor

    Actually diffusion and osmosis occur as tomsims says, the man who previously answered, but in addtion to what he said---
    osmosis occurs when a semipermeable membrane [this is a material that lets the solvent molecules (usually water) pass through it but does not let the solute molecules (whatever is dissolved in the solutions) pass through it] is present between two solutions of different concentrations. Example: a semipermeable membrane placed between the glass tubing joing a test tube of a strong sugar solution and a weaker sugar solution (actually pure water could be used instead of the weaker sugar solution). What will happen is more water will accumulate in the test tube of the weaker sugar solution until the two solutions have been diluted to equal strength OR the pressure that occurs on the weaker solution as a result of osmosis equals the pressure resulting from the force of gravity.
    I hope that this explanation is helpful.

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  • by killer nakia on April 21st, 2007

    killer nakia

    osmosis can only take place in liquid state but difusion can take place in any state.

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  • by Scoped_Knife on August 11th, 2009

    Scoped_Knife

    Diffusion is the random net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Osmosis is the same process, but specifically the movement of water particles ^_^

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  • by Satyendra on March 19th, 2009

    Satyendra

    Actually in both the phenomenon, movement is occuring in same direction i.e from higher concentration to lower the only difference is, in osmosis only liquids are moving whereas in diffusion either gases or solids are moving........

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  • by Anon on April 21st, 2007

    Anon

    I think KN is right about the liquid part, but I think that osmosis also has to be done through a semipermeable membrane

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  • by LiyahMcneel on November 28th, 2010

    LiyahMcneel

    osmosis means
    the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
    and then diffusion means
    Also called migration. an intermingling of molecules, ions, etc., resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.
    so the difference is one uses just water and the other uses fluids okay and this is correct

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  • by tomsims on December 4th, 2006

    tomsims

    Osmosis: the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

    The diffusion process is the spontaneous spreading of matter (particles or molecules), heat, momentum, or light.

    For more details, consult: http://www.mun.ca/biology/Osmosis_Diffusion/tutor2.html

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  • by Namaste formerly future_health_educator on December 10th, 2006

    Namaste formerly future_health_educator

    Diffusion is osmosis that occurs with a substance other than water.

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  • by jessiica_loves_jonathanc. on November 1st, 2010

    jessiica_loves_jonathanc.

    danqq...biology..idk...:s

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