What are the differences between diffusion and osmosis?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Diffusion

Osmosis

Definition

The movement of any type of substance from an area of higher concentration or energy to a lower concentration or energy

The movement of water or another solvent from an area of higher concentration or energy to a lower concentration or energy

Medium

Can occur in liquids, solids, or gasses

Occurs only in a liquid medium

Dependence on potential

Does not depend on solute potential, pressure potential, or water potential

Depends on solute potential

Membrane Requirement

Does not require a semipermeable membrane

Requires a semipermeable membrane

Pressure factors

Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure do not typically affect diffusion

Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure counteract osmosis

Concentration equalization

The concentration of the diffusing substance spreads out to uniformly fill the available space

The concentration of the solvent remains uneven on either side of the membrane

Dependency on solute particles

Primarily relies on the presence of various particles

Primarily depends on the quantity of solute particles dissolved in the solvent

Basis of differentiation	Diffusion	Osmosis
Definition	The movement of any type of substance from an area of higher concentration or energy to a lower concentration or energy	The movement of water or another solvent from an area of higher concentration or energy to a lower concentration or energy
Medium	Can occur in liquids, solids, or gasses	Occurs only in a liquid medium
Dependence on potential	Does not depend on solute potential, pressure potential, or water potential	Depends on solute potential
Membrane Requirement	Does not require a semipermeable membrane	Requires a semipermeable membrane
Pressure factors	Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure do not typically affect diffusion	Hydrostatic pressure and turgor pressure counteract osmosis
Concentration equalization	The concentration of the diffusing substance spreads out to uniformly fill the available space	The concentration of the solvent remains uneven on either side of the membrane
Dependency on solute particles	Primarily relies on the presence of various particles	Primarily depends on the quantity of solute particles dissolved in the solvent