Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion
Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion
The fundamental difference between the two is – Osmosis is the movement of the
solvent (water) from a region of higher concentrations to the region of lower
concentration through a semipermeable membrane, to maintain the equilibrium.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 1/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
On the other hand, diffusion can be described as the movement of the molecules
(solid, liquid or gases) from the region of higher concentration to the region of
lower concentrations, but not through a semipermeable membrane.
Both of this kind are the examples of Passive transportation. It is the natural
process occurring inside the body and thus promotes the movement of the
molecules without a requirement of the energy. The motion can be either through
higher to the lower concentration or from lower to the higher concentration,
and this difference in concentration of the particles is called concentration
gradient.
This process is performed to equalize the concentrations gradient on both the side
of membrane especially in a case of water (solvent). In the following content, we
will be considering the key differences between both kinds of motion, followed by a
brief discussion.
Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
OSMOSIS DIFFUSION
COMPARISON
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 2/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
BASIS FOR
OSMOSIS DIFFUSION
COMPARISON
Semi-permeable The motion is through the The motion is direct and does
membrane semi-permeable membrane. not require the semi-
permeable membrane.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 3/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
BASIS FOR
OSMOSIS DIFFUSION
COMPARISON
De nition of Osmosis
The function of osmosis is to maintain the equilibrium on both the side of the
membrane and so in this process there is the only movement of the water molecule,
also called as the solvent.
In order to keep the homeostasis the water molecule move sidelong from higher
water concentration to the region of lower water concentration. And also
from the lower solute concentration to the higher solute concentration. Notably,
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 4/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
Osmotic pressure
It can be defined as the pressure exerted on the solution, to prevent the passage of
the solvent into the solution, where both are separated by a semipermeable
membrane.
Hypotonic Solution – Solution with relatively low pressure and high solvent
concentration, here cells absorbs water, swell, and burst.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 5/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
Isotonic Solution – Solution with equal osmotic pressure (iso-osmotic) and the
concentration of solute and solvent are at level, so the cell tone is maintained and
thus no changes in cell volume and shape.
1. Reverse Osmosis.
2. Forward Osmosis.
Application of Osmosis
1. Transfusion – used in hospitals for the treatment of burns, dehydration, etc.
2. Fluid balance and blood volume – The fluid is balanced of each cell of the body
due to the osmosis.
3. Edema due to hypoalbuminemia – Edema occurs due to the lower oncotic
pressure of plasma, resulting in accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces.
4. Red blood cells and fragility – It prevent from rupturing the plasma membrane
of the RBC, the condition called as hemolysis.
De nition of Di usion
The movements of molecules like solid, gases or liquid, from the region of higher
concentration to the region of lower concentration. The reason for this movement
is the randomly moving molecules present in high concentration possess free
energy, and when they move to the region of lower concentration, equilibrium of
diffusing molecule along with the benefit of free energy is achieved. There is no
role semi-permeable membrane.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 6/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
Example: If a drop of blue ink is put in the jar filled with water, the ink will get
evenly distributed all over the water, and the particles will get distributed
everywhere, this is the simplest example of diffusion.
Another example to explain the diffusion is of any spray like deodorants, perfumes,
so when they are used or opened, the molecules of gas get distributed equally at a
certain available space.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 7/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
Application of Di usion
1. Few nutrients are absorbed in gastrointestinal tract through diffusion only, like
minerals, vitamins, pentoses.
2. Exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide in lungs and tissues occurs
through diffusion only.
3. Passage of waste products in the renal tubules occurs due to diffusion.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 8/14
11/4/2019 Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences
Conclusion
So in general terms, we can say that the intermingling of the molecules, for
maintaining the equilibrium is the naturally occurring process in the body, and are
termed as osmosis and diffusion. Though this physical process is sometimes
confusing also. But has a significant value in the field of science.
In order maintain the homeostasis of the body and also to balance between the
various internal mechanisms through internal cellular functioning, these concepts
are regularly compared and discussed. And so we can say that in the osmosis
process only water molecule can show the motion across the semi-permeable
membrane and in the diffusion liquids and gases can move.
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-osmosis-and-diffusion.html 9/14