Multiple Choice
In osmosis across a semipermeable membrane, which direction does water move?
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9. Transport Across Membranes
Passive Transport: Diffusion and Osmosis
Multiple Choice
In cell biology, osmosis is best described as which type of transport?
A
Passive transport: diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane down its water potential gradient
B
Facilitated diffusion of solutes against their concentration gradient via membrane carriers
C
Vesicular transport: bulk movement of water into the cell by endocytosis
D
Active transport: movement of water across a membrane using ATP-driven pumps
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the definition of osmosis: it is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water potential (or lower solute concentration) to an area of lower water potential (or higher solute concentration).
Recognize that osmosis does not require energy input (ATP) because it occurs down the water potential gradient, making it a form of passive transport.
Differentiate osmosis from other types of transport: facilitated diffusion involves solutes moving down their concentration gradient with the help of membrane proteins, active transport requires energy to move substances against their gradient, and vesicular transport involves bulk movement of materials via vesicles.
Conclude that osmosis is best described as passive transport, specifically the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane down its water potential gradient.
Summarize that the key characteristics of osmosis are passive movement, water as the molecule transported, and movement driven by water potential differences without energy expenditure.
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