What does the net movement of solutes/solvents during osmosis and diffusion mean?
Net movement means flow goes both ways, but more of (solute or solvent) goes one way, ending with concentration changing on each side. It is like a pump.
Diffusion,
Osmosis,
Active Transport,
Facilitated diffusion,
The net movement of solutes/solvents during osmosis and diffusion refers to the overall direction in which these substances move across a selectively permeable membrane. In osmosis, solvents (usually water molecules) move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, while in diffusion, solutes move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
To understand why this movement occurs, let's start with osmosis. Osmosis happens when there is a difference in solute concentration on either side of a membrane, causing a concentration gradient. Water molecules are small enough to pass through the membrane, but larger solute molecules cannot. As a result, water molecules move across the membrane in an attempt to equalize the concentration on both sides. This movement of water continues until the concentration on both sides becomes more balanced.
In the case of diffusion, it occurs due to the random motion of particles. Substances, such as solutes, are in constant motion due to their kinetic energy. This motion leads to collisions between particles, causing them to move from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration until the concentration becomes uniform.
To determine the direction of net movement during osmosis and diffusion, you need to compare the concentrations on either side of the membrane or in different regions of a substance. This can be done by measuring the concentration gradient, which is the difference in solute or solvent concentration between two points. The net movement will always occur from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until an equilibrium is reached.
Overall, the net movement of solutes and solvents during osmosis and diffusion indicates the tendency of substances to move across a concentration gradient, ultimately resulting in equalization of concentrations.