Final answer:
Osmosis is the transport of water through a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher to lower concentration. Dialysis is similar but allows other small molecules to pass through the membrane while retaining larger molecules. Diffusion rates can be calculated by considering the concentration gradient and other factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining Osmosis and Dialysis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration. This process is driven by a concentration gradient and does not require energy. For example, soaking a swollen ankle in Epsom salt leads to osmosis, where water moves from the body into the salt solution.
Dialysis, on the other hand, involves the separation of small molecules and ions from larger colloidal particles through a dialyzing membrane. It is similar to osmosis but allows for the passage of not just water, but also other small particles, leaving behind larger molecules like proteins and starch.
Calculating Diffusion Rates
To calculate diffusion rates, one must understand that diffusion is the movement of particles due to a concentration gradient. Several factors can affect the rate of diffusion, such as temperature, medium, and size of the particle