Osmosis |
Diffusion |
It is limited only to the liquid medium. |
Occurs in liquid, gas and even solids. |
Requires a semipermeable membrane. |
Does not require a semipermeable membrane. |
Depends on the number of solute particles dissolved in the solvent. |
Depends on the presence of other particles. |
Requires water for the movement of particles. |
Does not require water for the movement of particles. |
Only the solvent molecules can diffuse. |
Both the molecules of solute and solvent can diffuse. |
The flow of particles occurs only in one direction. |
The flow of particles occurs in all the directions. |
The entire process can either be stopped or reversed by applying additional pressure on the solution side. |
This process can neither be stopped nor reversed. |
Occurs only between similar types of solutions. |
Occurs between the similar and dissimilar types of solutions. |
It involves the movement of only solvent molecules from one side to the other. |
It involves the movement of all the particles from one region to the other. |
The concentration of the solvent does not become equal on both sides of the membrane. |
The concentration of the diffusion substance equalizes to fill the available space. |
Depends on solute potential. |
Does not depend on solute potential, pressure potential, or water potential. |
Only water or another solvent moves from a region of high energy or concentration to a region of lower energy or concentration. |
Any type of substance moves from area of highest energy or concentration to region of lowest energy or concentration. |
Not associated with uptake of minerals and nutrients. |
It helps in the uptake of minerals and nutrients |