Final answer:
Osmosis and diffusion are examples of passive transport mechanisms in cells, with osmosis being the specific movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane, and diffusion being the movement of substances based on concentration gradients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmosis and diffusion are both examples of passive transport mechanisms in cells. Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion; it's the passage of water from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. Diffusion is the movement of substances from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration, and it can include various substances, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Both processes are crucial for maintaining cellular function by regulating the movement of substances in and out of cells.
During osmosis, water moves to balance concentrations of solutes on both sides of a cellular membrane. The presence of aquaporins facilitates the movement of water and plays a significant role, especially in red blood cells and kidney tubules. In diffusion, materials pass through membranes and within cells without the assistance of other molecules for smaller, hydrophobic molecules, or with the help of transport proteins for larger or hydrophilic molecules.