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[Molecules pass through the cell membrane] through a process known as osmosis.

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Yes, osmosis is a great part of diffusion of molecules, but another important factor to consider is the presence of protein channels in the membrane. The cell membrane is actually a lipid bilayer, in which proteins are embedded. Normally, molecules will simply be diffused through these chanells, but in some cases, the protein must be modified in order to allow the molecules to flow. This is called active transport, which requires energy in order to change the shape of the protein and allow the foreign molecule to pass.

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