Diffusion vs. Osmosis — What's the Difference?

Process influencing rate by temperature, molecular size, and medium.

Diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane from low to high solute concentration.

Fundamental method of material transport in gases and liquids.

Driven by the osmotic pressure gradient across the membrane.

Movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Critical for maintaining fluid balance in biological organisms.

Diffusion is the net movement of anything (for example, atoms, ions, molecules, energy) from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Diffusion is driven by a gradient in concentration.

A process that requires a membrane that allows only water to pass.

The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused

Can cause cells to swell or shrink based on the fluid balance.

The scattering of incident light by reflection from a rough surface.

Osmosis (, US also ) is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of high water potential (region of lower solute concentration) to a region of low water potential (region of higher solute concentration), in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any solvent moves across a selectively permeable membrane (permeable to the solvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.

The transmission of light through a translucent material.

Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from a solution with a low solute concentration to a solution with a higher solute concentration. Osmosis ceases when there is an equal solute concentration on both sides of the membrane.

The spontaneous intermingling of the particles of two or more substances as a result of random thermal motion.

The tendency of fluids to diffuse in such a manner.

The spread of linguistic or cultural practices or innovations within a community or from one community to another.

A gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation or absorption

The act of diffusing or dispersing something, or the property of being diffused or dispersed; dispersion.

(chemistry) The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.

(physics) The scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface, or by passage through a translucent medium.

(figurative) Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the act of teaching or picking up knowledge incidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.

(physics) The intermingling of the molecules of a fluid due to random thermal agitation.

The tendency in fluids to mix, or become equably diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between fluids of differing densities, and as taking place through a membrane or an intervening porous structure. An older term for the phenomenon was Osmose.

The spread of cultural or linguistic practices, or social institutions, in one or more communities.

Diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal

(marketing) The gradual spread and adoption of goods or services.

Exchange of airborne media between regions in space in an apparently random motion of a small scale.

The movement of water vapor from regions of high concentration (high water vapor pressure) toward regions of lower concentration.

The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion.

The act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc., through the body. Unlike absorption, diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.

(physics) the process of diffusing; the intermingling of molecules in gases and liquids as a result of random thermal agitation

The spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to another

The property of being diffused or dispersed

The act of dispersing or diffusing something;

Passive transport mechanism in which particles move without energy input.

Does not require a semipermeable membrane to occur.

Diffusion is the passive movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Yes, diffusion can occur in solids, though at a slower rate than in liquids or gases.

Osmosis requires a semi-permeable membrane that allows only water, not solute particles, to pass through.

Examples include the spreading of perfume in a room or the dispersal of smoke in the air.

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell via osmosis, causing the cell to shrink.

Higher temperatures increase the energy of molecules, thus speeding up diffusion, while larger molecules diffuse more slowly.

Osmosis is crucial for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance within cells and across cell membranes.

Osmosis helps maintain turgor pressure within plant cells, essential for structural support and nutrient transport.

Osmosis specifically involves water as the solvent, distinguishing it from diffusion, which can involve any type of molecules.

Diffusion is observable when food coloring spreads in water or when a smell wafts through air.

Unlike active transport, diffusion does not require energy and moves molecules along the concentration gradient rather than against it.

Yes, osmosis is a specialized type of diffusion focused on the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

It selectively allows water to pass while blocking solute particles, thus directing the flow of water due to osmotic gradients.

Factors include the concentration gradient, membrane permeability, and osmotic pressure.