Osmosis means

Options

A. Solute from low concentration to higher
B. Solute from higher concentration to low
C. Solvent from low concentration of solution to high concentration of solution
D. Solvent from higher concentration solution to low concentration solution

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Osmosis**: Osmosis is a biological and physical process that involves the movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane.

2. **Concentration Gradient**: The movement occurs from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. This means that the solvent moves towards the area where there are more solute particles.

3. **Role of Semi-Permeable Membrane**: The membrane involved in osmosis is called a semi-permeable membrane. This type of membrane allows only certain molecules (typically solvent molecules) to pass through while blocking others (typically solute molecules).

4. **Understanding the Movement**: In osmosis, it is important to note that it is the solvent (like water) that moves, not the solute. The solvent moves to balance the concentration of solute on both sides of the membrane.

5. **Analyzing the Options**:
- Option 1 states that solute moves from low to high concentration, which is incorrect.
- Option 2 states that solute moves from high to low concentration, which is also incorrect.
- Option 3 states that solvent moves from low concentration of solution to high concentration of solution, which is correct.
- Option 4 states that solvent moves from high concentration to low concentration, which is incorrect.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct definition of osmosis is that it is the movement of solvent from a region of lower concentration of solute to a region of higher concentration of solute through a semi-permeable membrane.

**Final Answer**: Osmosis means the movement of solvent from a lower concentration of solution to a higher concentration of solution.

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