The following figure shows the movement of solutes across a plasma membrane in the direction indicated by the arrows.

This movement across the membrane

Question

The following figure shows the movement of solutes across a plasma membrane in the direction indicated by the arrows.

This movement across the membrane

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The movement across the plasma membrane in the direction indicated by the arrows occurs by diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, until it reaches equilibrium. No direct input of cellular energy or carrier proteins is necessary for diffusion to occur. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration. It is not described in the given figure.

The Following Figure Shows the Movement of Solutes Across a Plasma