Compare and contrast osmosis and facilitated diffusion using the graphic organizer below.
Characteristics: Osmosis, Facilitated Diffusion
What type of molecule uses this form of passive transport?
How are the molecules moved across the cell membrane?
write in your own words
Characteristics: Osmosis, Facilitated Diffusion
What type of molecule uses this form of passive transport?
Osmosis: Water molecules
Facilitated Diffusion: Larger or polar molecules such as glucose or ions
How are the molecules moved across the cell membrane?
Osmosis: Water molecules move across the membrane through special channels called aquaporins in response to a concentration gradient
Facilitated Diffusion: Molecules are moved across the membrane with the help of specific carrier proteins, also in response to a concentration gradient
In my own words:
Osmosis is the passive transport of water molecules across the cell membrane through special channels, while facilitated diffusion is the movement of larger or polar molecules with the assistance of carrier proteins. Both processes rely on a concentration gradient to move molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.