answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

osmosis is the diffusion of water. In diffusion, substances move from an area of high concentration to and area of lower concentration, or from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution. Free water concentration just refers to the concentration of solute in a solution (in osmosis, water). If the concentration of solute is higher outside of a cell bits of solute will move towards the area of lower concentration: inside the cell. If the concentration of solute is higher within the cell then some solute will leave the cell. Cells "want" to be isotonic, or to have equal amounts of solute both inside and out. When a cell reaches an isotonic state it wants to stay that way, so the water moves across the membrane at the same rate.

Hope that helps!

Source:

AP bio student

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is free water concentration the driving force in osmosis?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the primary driving force for osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane. When there are different concentrations on either side, the water moves from the side that has the least concentration of solute to the side with the higher concentration of solute. So a different solute concentration drives osmosis.


Do osmosis has a high or low concentration?

As per Definition of osmosis: "Osmosis is the passage of water from the region of high water concentration through a semi permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration". Thus, Osmosis do have an area of high and low concentration of water solutions.


The net movement of water across a membrane from the solution of lower concentration to one of higher concentration is called?

This is referred to as OSMOSIS. When you say "solution of lower concentration" this implies the solute concentration is low, thus water concentration is high. So, osmosis is movement of water from a high concentration of water, to a lower concentration of water, just to be clear.


What process - movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low concentration?

Osmosis is the process by which water moves across a selectively permeable membrane.


Why does the concentration gradient affect osmosis?

Because osmosis is the movement of water molecules from where they are in high concentration to where they are in low concentration.


Define the term osmosis?

osmosis - Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration


How does water typically move in osmosis?

In Osmosis, water moves from the region of high water concentration through a semi permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration. Osmosis happens because of diffence in concentration of water different regions.


The movement of water molecules across selectively premeable?

Osmosis movement of water from high concentration to low concentration.


What process is the diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane?

This is the process of osmosis. The membrane allows a solvent (usually water) to move from an area with lower solute concentration to one with greater concentration.


Is a protein osmosis?

No because osmosis is the diffusion of water where water with high concentration moves to water with low concentration, therefore it has nothing to do with protein.


Which term refers to the diffusion of water throughout a membrane?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a membrane (semipermeable) membrane. Water always moves from a high concentration of water to a low concentration of water.


How is osmosis done?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.