Question

Which of the following is a way for solutes in an aqueous solution to move from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration?

A. only osmosis
B. only active transport
C. only facilitated diffusion
D. both facilitated diffusion and osmosis
E. None of the answers are correct.

Answer 1

Facilitated diffusion is the process of allowing solutes to move from high to low concentration through specific transmembrane proteins without the expenditure of energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process by which solutes in an aqueous solution move from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration is called facilitated diffusion. Unlike osmosis, which is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from low solute concentration to high solute concentration, facilitated diffusion moves solutes across the membrane through specific transmembrane proteins. It is a passive transport process that relies on the presence of a concentration gradient without the expenditure of cellular energy.