Which process moves water across a membrane toward higher solute concentration?

Which process moves water across a membrane toward higher solute concentration?

• A. Diffusion
• B. Osmosis
• C. Active transport
• D. Facilitated diffusion

Answer: (B)

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward the side with more dissolved substances. Water moves from higher water potential (lower solute concentration) to lower water potential (higher solute concentration) to help equalize solute levels. The membrane allows water to pass, while many solutes do not cross as easily, driving this flow. This differs from diffusion and facilitated diffusion, which move solutes rather than water, and from active transport, which uses energy to move substances against their gradient.

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward the side with more dissolved substances. Water moves from higher water potential (lower solute concentration) to lower water potential (higher solute concentration) to help equalize solute levels. The membrane allows water to pass, while many solutes do not cross as easily, driving this flow.

This differs from diffusion and facilitated diffusion, which move solutes rather than water, and from active transport, which uses energy to move substances against their gradient.