Question

Osmosis is the process of movement of water molecules from its
1. higher concentration to its lower concentration through a cell wall.
2. lower concentration to its higher concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
3. higher concentration to its lower concentration through a fully permeable membrane.
4. higher concentration to its lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : higher concentration to its lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

The correct answer is higher concentration to its lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

• “Osmosis is a process by which the molecules of a solvent pass from a solution of low concentration (lower concentrate solution contain less amount of solute and plenty of solvent) to a solution of high concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.” 
• A solution of high concentration has a low concentration of water and a solution of low concentration has a high concentration of water.
• Hence water flows from its higher concentration solution to the lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
• Osmosis is the term used to refer specifically to the diffusion of water across a differentially- or selectively permeable membrane.
• Osmosis occurs spontaneously in response to a driving force. The net direction and rate of osmosis depend on both the pressure gradient and concentration gradient.
• Water will move from its region of lower chemical potential (or concentration) to its region of higher chemical potential until equilibrium is reached.
• At equilibrium, the two chambers should have nearly the same water potential.