Question

What is the difference between diffusion and osmosis?

Explain the difference between osmosis and diffusion.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Diffusion	Osmosis
1.	It is the movement of molecules of a substance from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.	It is the process in which water molecules move through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
2.	Diffusion involves the free mixing of the solution without a semipermeable membrane.	Osmosis involves the use of a semipermeable membrane.
3.	In diffusion, both solvent and solute molecules move directly into each other. Thus, it is a bilateral process.	In osmosis only solvent molecules move through the semipermeable membrane. The movement of solute particles is checked by the semipermeable membrane.
4.	It is shown by solutions as well as by gases.	It is shown by solutions only.
5.	It can neither be stopped nor reversed.	It can be stopped or reversed by applying external pressure on the solution having a higher concentration.