Final answer:
For osmosis to occur, a semipermeable membrane that is impermeable to the solute, as well as a concentration gradient of solute across the membrane, are necessary, with water moving from low to high solute concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
For osmosis to occur, the correct answer is (A) The membrane must be relatively impermeable to the solute and (E) There must be a difference in the concentration of a solute on both sides of a membrane. Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. This process aims to equalize solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. A semipermeable membrane allows the passage of water but restricts solutes. The driving force for osmosis is the concentration gradient of water, which is inversely proportional to the solute concentration; the higher the solute concentration, the lower the free water concentration, and vice versa.
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across membranes from lower to higher solute concentrations. It occurs when there is a difference in the concentration of a solute on both sides of a membrane. The membrane must be selectively permeable, allowing water molecules to pass through while restricting the movement of solute molecules.