Question

multiple choice question
during osmosis, water will move

through an impermeable membrane and from the area with higher solute concentration to the area of lower solute concentration.

through a cell membrane and from a lower energy state to a higher energy state.

through a selectively permeable membrane and from the area with lower solute concentration to the area of higher solute concentration.

through a selectively permeable membrane and from lower temperature to higher temperature.

Explanation:

To solve this, recall the definition of osmosis: the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration (higher water potential) to a region of higher solute concentration (lower water potential). Let's analyze each option:

• First option: Osmosis requires a selectively permeable (not impermeable) membrane, and water moves from lower to higher solute concentration, so this is wrong.
• Second option: Osmosis is a passive process (moves from higher to lower energy state, not lower to higher), so this is wrong.
• Third option: Matches the definition of osmosis (selectively permeable membrane, lower to higher solute concentration).
• Fourth option: Osmosis is not related to temperature gradients, so this is wrong.

Answer:

C. through a selectively permeable membrane and from the area with lower solute concentration to the area of higher solute concentration.