Which term describes the force or condition that results from differences in solute concentration across a membrane?

Which term describes the force or condition that results from differences in solute concentration across a membrane?

• A. Osmotic Pressure
• B. Osmosis
• C. Diffusion
• D. Isotonic

Answer: (A)

Osmotic pressure is the force generated by differences in solute concentration across a membrane, and it drives water to move by osmosis. When one side has more dissolved particles, water moves toward that side to balance concentrations, and the osmotic pressure represents the pressure that would need to be applied to prevent this water flow. Osmosis describes the actual movement of water, not the force itself, so the term that best captures the force or condition created by the concentration difference is osmotic pressure. Diffusion involves solute particles moving down their concentration gradient, which isn’t the specific mechanism for water across a semi-permeable membrane. Isotonic refers to equal solute concentrations on both sides, yielding no net water movement.

Osmotic pressure is the force generated by differences in solute concentration across a membrane, and it drives water to move by osmosis. When one side has more dissolved particles, water moves toward that side to balance concentrations, and the osmotic pressure represents the pressure that would need to be applied to prevent this water flow. Osmosis describes the actual movement of water, not the force itself, so the term that best captures the force or condition created by the concentration difference is osmotic pressure. Diffusion involves solute particles moving down their concentration gradient, which isn’t the specific mechanism for water across a semi-permeable membrane. Isotonic refers to equal solute concentrations on both sides, yielding no net water movement.