Crosswords1 min ago
osmosis and diffusion
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i'm really struggling to understand what both osmosis and diffusion mean. Biology is a weak subject of mine, so i really need simpleton terms and an easy example of both (for me to memorise when i go into my exam) if you can help PLEASE can you make it as easy as possible. I really am after one example of each, I've researched and researched but i'm baffled by big words. Many thanks.
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Osmosis is when water moves from an area of high concentration to a lower concentration. I can remember doing an experiment where we left a raisin soaking in water. When you back to it after a while the raisin will have soaked up the water and become fatter. The water has moved into it by osmosis. That okay? :)
From Chambers on-line
osmosis noun 1 chem the spontaneous movement of a solvent, eg water, across a semi-permeable membrane from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated one, which stops when the concentrations of the two solutions are equal, or when an external pressure is applied to the more concentrated solution. 2 a gradual, usually unconscious, process of assimilation or absorption of ideas or knowledge, etc. osmotic adj. osmotically adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: a Latinized form of osmose; see also -osis.
diffusion noun 1 the act of diffusing or state of being diffused. 2 physics the process whereby a fluid, either a liquid or gas, gradually and spontaneously disperses from a region of high concentration to one of low concentration, as a result of the random movements of its constituent atoms, molecules or ions. 3 anthropol the spread of cultural elements from one community, region, etc, to another.
Obvious, isn't it.
osmosis noun 1 chem the spontaneous movement of a solvent, eg water, across a semi-permeable membrane from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated one, which stops when the concentrations of the two solutions are equal, or when an external pressure is applied to the more concentrated solution. 2 a gradual, usually unconscious, process of assimilation or absorption of ideas or knowledge, etc. osmotic adj. osmotically adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: a Latinized form of osmose; see also -osis.
diffusion noun 1 the act of diffusing or state of being diffused. 2 physics the process whereby a fluid, either a liquid or gas, gradually and spontaneously disperses from a region of high concentration to one of low concentration, as a result of the random movements of its constituent atoms, molecules or ions. 3 anthropol the spread of cultural elements from one community, region, etc, to another.
Obvious, isn't it.
Click 'Start' and read the information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...qa/cells/cells4.shtml
This is the key sentence from that page:
"Osmosis is the movement of water from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane". (Just remember that and you're well on your way to passing your exam!).
You asked for an example of osmosis:
It's the way that plants absorb water through their roots. The cell walls, in the plant's roots, provide a 'partially permeable membrane' (which simply means that water can travel inwards, but not outwards).
Here's the other key bit of information you'll need:
"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"
That's taken from here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...qa/cells/cells3.shtml
As stated on that page, an example of diffusion is when food moves from the gut (where it's in a high concentration) into the blood vessels lining the gut walls (where it's in a lower concentration).
Chris
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...qa/cells/cells4.shtml
This is the key sentence from that page:
"Osmosis is the movement of water from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane". (Just remember that and you're well on your way to passing your exam!).
You asked for an example of osmosis:
It's the way that plants absorb water through their roots. The cell walls, in the plant's roots, provide a 'partially permeable membrane' (which simply means that water can travel inwards, but not outwards).
Here's the other key bit of information you'll need:
"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"
That's taken from here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...qa/cells/cells3.shtml
As stated on that page, an example of diffusion is when food moves from the gut (where it's in a high concentration) into the blood vessels lining the gut walls (where it's in a lower concentration).
Chris
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