I.

II.

III.

Diffusion and Osmosis Study Resources

Learning Objectives
a) Define diffusion as the net movement of molecules from a region of their
higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a
concentration gradient as a result of their random movement
b) Describe the importance of gaseous and solute diffusion and of water as a
solvent
c) Define osmosis as the diffusion of water molecules from a region of their
higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration, through a
partially permeable membrane
d) Describe the importance of osmosis in the uptake of water by plants and its
effects on plant and animal tissues*
e) Describe and explain the importance of a water potential gradient in the
uptake of water by plants*
Key Facts
a) Diffusion is the movement of a substance from a region where it is more
concentrated to a region where it is less concentrated.
b) The diffusing substance moves down a concentration gradient. The greater the
difference in concentration, the faster the rate of diffusion.
c) Diffusion works for gases and substances in solution.
d) Dissolved substances can move into and out of cells because of diffusion.
e) Gases are exchanged at the surface of the lungs because of diffusion: oxygen
moves from the air into the blood because it is at a higher concentration in the air
carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the air in the lungs because it is at a
higher concentration in the blood.
f) Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated
solution through a partially permeable membrane.
g) A partially permeable membrane allows small molecules like water to pass across,
but not large molecules such as starch and proteins. The cell membrane is partially
permeable.
h) When the concentration outside a cell is the same as the concentration inside it,
there is no net movement of water by osmosis.
Key Vocab
a. Diffusion: the net movement of molecules from a region of their higher
concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration
gradient, as a result of their random movement
b. Osmosis: the diffusion of water molecules from a region of their higher
concentration (dilute solution) to a region of their lower concentration
(concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane
c. Partially permeable membrane: membranes in plant and animal cells
that allow certain particles to pass through them but not others; Also called
semi-permeable. A partially permeable membrane allows water and other
small molecules to pass through but not larger molecules such as starch.
d. Water potential (gradient): a difference in the concentration of water
molecules; a dilute solution has a high water potential, and water tends to
move from this, down a water potential gradient, into a concentrated
solution

e. Concentration gradient: the difference in the concentration of a chemical

across a membrane
IV.
Study Resources
Online activity:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/cells/osmosisact.sh
tml
Important: how plants absorb water
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/organism_energy/photos
ynthesisrev5.shtml
Practice tests:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/quiz/q14929709
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zc9tyrd/test
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zydsgk7/test (skip # 1)
Best overviews:
http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/osmosis-biology.html
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/AssetsLibrary/SECTORS/Secondary/PDFs/
BBCActiveBitesize/GCSEBitesizeCompleteRevisoonandPracticeAdditionalSciencesamplep
ages.pdf
YouTube videos:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/cells/osmosis
act.shtml
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3oN3O6zg0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdqo5CZDtes
Readings:
Best: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zc9tyrd/revision/6
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_pre_2011/homeostasis/i
mportancerev3.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/green_world/d
iffusionrev3.shtml