osmosis and diffusion

syllabus statements 2.12 - 2.16

what the hell is diffusion? and isn't osmosis the same thing? what about active transport? and whats all this about a selectively permeable membrane?

Diffusion is basically where particles space out really nicely and evenly, If there are a lot of particles clumped in the corner for example and not equally spread out, then they will naturally spread out and become even again, no energy needed at all. This is what diffusion is. When there are a lot of particles all together and not spread out, its called a HIGH CONCENTRATION GRADIENT because there is a HIGH CONCENTRATION of particles in that space. When there are hardly any particles there at all, its called a LOW CONCENTRATION GRADIENT, because there is a LOW CONCENTRATION of particles there. The rule with diffusion AND osmosis is that particles travel FROM a HIGH CONCENTRATION GRADIENT TO a LOW CONCENTRATION GRADIENT, they basically spread out.

Read more for explanations on Osmosis and Active transport, as well as semi permeable membranes and experiments.

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