AEMCA Practice Exam

What is osmosis?

1. The movement of solute from high concentration to low concentration

2. The process where a solvent moves to an area of high solute concentration through a selectively permeable membrane

3. A method of active transport in cells

4. Diffusion of gas particles

The correct answer is: The process where a solvent moves to an area of high solute concentration through a selectively permeable membrane

Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of a solvent, typically water, across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. This movement continues until equilibrium is reached, meaning that the solute concentration on both sides of the membrane becomes equal. The selectively permeable nature of the membrane allows water molecules to pass freely while restricting the movement of larger solute molecules. Understanding this concept is crucial because it illustrates how cells maintain their internal environments, a process vital for cellular function. The correct answer captures this essence by emphasizing the role of the solvent and the specific conditions under which osmosis occurs, distinguishing it from similar processes. Other processes, such as diffusion, relate to different contexts and mechanisms, which do not reflect the unique process of osmosis.