Differentiate simple diffusion from facilitated diffusion and osmosis.

Question

Differentiate simple diffusion from facilitated diffusion and osmosis.

Answer 1

simple diffusion: allows small nonpolar molecues to simply pass through the cell membrane

facilitated difussion:  allows ions and minerals, and other nutrients such as glucose to pass through the cell membrance with the use of protein channel

osmosis: allows water to pass through cell membrane

Answer 2

Simple diffusion: Molecules move on their own from higher concentration region to lower concentration region----i.e along concentration gradient.

Facilitated diffusion: molecules move with the help of carrier molecules(proteins) from higher concentration gradient to lower concentration gradient. The carrier proteins work as shuttles.

Osmosis: movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from higher water potential to a lower water potential.