A cell consists of:
Plasma membrane or cell membrane:
Structure
Functions
Differences between diffusion and osmosis:
Diffusion | Osmosis |
Diffusion can occur in any medium. | Osmosis occurs only in liquid medium. |
The diffusing molecules may be solids, liquids or gases. | Osmosis involves movement of solvent molecules only. |
Semipermeable membrane is not required. | Semipermeable membrane is required. |
Diffusion depends only upon the free energy of the molecules of the diffusing substance. The presence of any other substances in the system is of no importance. | Though osmosis is the diffusion of solvent molecules only, it influenced by the presence of other substances (solutes) in the system. |
An equilibrium in the free energy of diffusion molecules is achieved in the system. | Equilibrium in the free energy of solvent diffusion molecules is never achieved. |
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