Final answer:
Filtration is the process of forcing fluids and solutes through a membrane by pressure. It uses a hydrostatic pressure gradient and is important in various biological processes, such as waste removal in the kidneys.
Step-by-step explanation:
Filtration is a process of forcing fluids and solutes through a membrane by pressure. Unlike diffusion, which moves substances from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration, filtration uses a hydrostatic pressure gradient to push fluid and solutes from a higher pressure area to a lower pressure area. This process is important in various biological processes, such as in the circulatory system for moving plasma and substances across the endothelial lining of capillaries. In biological systems, this process is vital for various functions, such as in the kidneys, where filtration is used to remove waste from the bloodstream and maintain homeostasis by filtering out substances from the blood into the renal tubules. In the kidneys, glomerular filtration occurs when glomerular hydrostatic pressure exceeds the pressure in Bowman's capsule, allowing waste removal from the bloodstream.