Osmosis and Diffusion in the Cell Membrane Essay Example

Introduction:

Osmosis and diffusion are essential processes in living things. They allow molecules to enter and exit cells by penetrating the membrane. It permits nutrients to infiltrate the cell to create energy and release waste products. One also uses osmosis and diffusion in everyday life. When a sponge absorbs liquid, one can see them in action. Plants use them as well to receive water in the ground for nutrition.

Body Paragraph 1:

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a zone of high concentration to a region of low concentration. It is affected by temperature, the amount of interaction between molecules, the size of particles, and the steepness of the concentration gradient. When temperatures rise, the kinetic energy inside the particles increases and allows collisions to happen more often. Repeated contacts and fast movement of molecules enable them to escape the confines of the material. As the area of interaction between molecules increases, diffusion happens more rapidly. Particles from the solute are exposed to more particles from the solvent, simplifying the mixing of substances. Larger and heavier molecules tend to disperse slower than smaller and lighter ones. Lastly, diffusion is also affected by the steepness of the concentration gradient. It means that when the solvent contains a low concentration of solute, then the particles will dissipate faster. There are two types of diffusion: simple and facilitated diffusion. Simple diffusion does not directly involve other particles. It is the net movement of molecules from concentrated areas to dilute regions. Facilitated diffusion needs the presence of another molecule called the facilitator for the process to occur. The overall flow of particles is still the same, but they may be too large or have characteristics impeding them from directly traveling across the cell membrane. Due to this, they have to pass through a protein channel. 

Body Paragraph 2:

Osmosis is the movement of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a dilute solution into a concentrated one.  Animal and plant cells react differently to different solutions thus, reacting differently to osmosis. The difference in solute concentration in hypotonic solutions will make animal cells burst. However, in this solution, plant cells will remain strong due to their cell wall. Isotonic solutions are ideal for animal cells because there is no net movement of a solvent. On the other hand, plant cells will no longer be turgid because of the lack of water. In hypertonic solutions, water will rush out of both plant and animal cells, leaving them shriveled.

Body Paragraph 3:

Osmosis and diffusion are necessary for nutrient absorption, gas exchange, and other vital bodily processes. Plants use osmosis to take in the water from the ground. The difference between the amount of water in the cells and the soil is significant. Therefore, osmosis comes into action. Water molecules cross through the plasma membrane and inside the cell, equalizing the exterior and interior. Osmosis also affects animals such as fish. If a freshwater fish swims in saltwater, water will rush out of its cells, killing the animal. Diffusion happens in all of these scenarios, spreading the solute in the solvent or inside the cells.

Conclusion:

Without osmosis and diffusion, living things would not be able to survive. Animals and plants would be withered and not be capable of transforming nutrients into energy. Oxygen, glucose, and carbon dioxide infiltrate and exit the bloodstream by these processes. Osmosis is similar to students entering a class through the door, and diffusion is comparable to them spreading around the room.