Final answer:
In osmosis, solvent molecules (typically water) move from a region of lower solute concentration to one of higher solute concentration, across a semipermeable membrane to balance solute concentrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In osmosis, solvent molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This movement occurs across a semipermeable membrane, in an attempt to equalize solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. This is a passive process and does not require energy.
Osmosis is critical for maintaining cellular integrity and allowing cells to adapt to changes in their environment. Aquaporins facilitate this movement of water. When imagining a beaker separated by a semipermeable membrane, with different solute concentrations on each side, water will move towards the side with the higher solute concentration in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes across the membrane.
Therefore, in osmosis, the correct directional flow of solvent molecules is lower concentration to higher concentration, which helps maintain balance in systems such as cells and various biological membranes.