Difference between Osmosis and Diffusion

Osmosis Vs Diffusion

 

A semi-permeable membrane for osmosis and for diffusion doesn’t require a semi-permeable membrane.

Also, check out here Difference between Active and Passive Transport. 

 

Osmosis	Diffusion
1. It occurs in liquids medium only.	1. Occurs in all medium  solid, liquid, gas .
2. Require a semi-permeable membrane for osmosis.	2. Diffusion process doesn’t require semi permeable membrane.
3. Osmosis is special type of diffusion of solvent (water) molecule through a semi permeable membrane from region of higher solvent concentration to the region of lower solvent concentration	3. Diffusion is the movement of particles from an region of higher concentration to region lower concentration.
4. Osmosis requires water for movement of particle.	4. Diffusion process doesn’t require water for the movement of particles.
5. In osmosis movement of particle occurs only in one direction.	5. In diffusion movement of particles occurs in all the direction.
6. In osmosis only solvent molecule can moves; cross the membrane.	6. In diffusion process both molecules of solute and solvent can move diffuse.
7. In osmosis entire process can either be stopped or reversed by applying additional pressure on the solution side.   For example, shrinking of potato slice when it kept in concentrated sucrose solution.	7. Diffusion process can neither be stopped not reversed. For example, when ink drop put in a glass of water, spreading of ink drop of it. Or adding a drop of food coloring to water.
8. Osmosis process of moving of solvent particles across a semi -permeable membrane from region of high concentration to region of low concentration to equalize concentration.	8. Diffusion process of moving particles from region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.
9. Osmosis is not responsible or associated for the uptake of minerals and nutrients.	9. Diffusion associated with helps in uptake of minerals and nutrient.
10. The movement in osmosis seeks to equalize solvent concentration but The concentration of solvent doesn’t become equal on both side of the membrane.	10. The concentration of diffusion substance equalizes to fill the available space and  end result is  an equal concentration, or equilibrium. It depends on solute potential.
11. Osmosis process can be stopped or reversed by applying pressure. It can be reversed by applying hydrostatic pressure on the solution side of the membrane. This process is known as reverse osmosis.	11. Diffusion is an irreversible process.
12. Hydrostatic and turgor pressure oppose osmosis process.	12. Hydrostatic and turgor pressure don’t normally apply to diffusion.
13. Osmosis involves the movement of only solvent molecules from one side to the other.	13. Diffusion involves the movement of all the particles from one region to the other.
14. Osmosis process occurs only between similar types of solutions.	14. Diffusion can occur between similar and dissimilar types of solutions.
15. In case of osmosis only solvent moves in a single direction.	15. Diffusion is random movement of solute particles.
16. Osmosis is slow process.	16. Diffusion is fast process.