Question

Osmosis is the movement of a pure ______ into a solution when they are separated from it by a semi-permeable membrane.

Answer 1

Osmosis is the movement of water from a lower to a higher solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane, facilitated by aquaporins and important for cell function.

Step-by-step explanation:

Osmosis is the movement of a pure water into a solution when they are separated by a semi-permeable membrane. During this process, water moves from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration across the membrane, until equilibrium is reached. Semipermeable membranes only allow certain molecules, such as water, to pass through, while blocking others, maintaining the concentration gradient that drives osmosis. Aquaporins facilitate the movement of water and are crucial for red blood cells and the membranes of kidney tubules during this process.