In diffusion, solutes move to compartments with fewer particles. What is this process called?

In diffusion, solutes move to compartments with fewer particles. What is this process called?

• A. Osmosis
• B. Diffusion
• C. Filtration
• D. Active transport

Answer: (B)

Diffusion is the passive spread of solute particles from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration, driven by random molecular motion until the gradient is equalized. The scenario described—solutes moving toward compartments with fewer particles—fits diffusion because the movement follows the concentration gradient and requires no energy input. Osmosis would involve water moving across a semipermeable membrane, not solutes; filtration is driven by pressure differences; active transport uses energy to move substances against their gradient.

Diffusion is the passive spread of solute particles from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration, driven by random molecular motion until the gradient is equalized. The scenario described—solutes moving toward compartments with fewer particles—fits diffusion because the movement follows the concentration gradient and requires no energy input. Osmosis would involve water moving across a semipermeable membrane, not solutes; filtration is driven by pressure differences; active transport uses energy to move substances against their gradient.