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differentiate between osmosis and plasmolysis

Osmosis

Plasmolysis

Osmosis is a type of diffusion. Osmosis is the phenomenon when the two solutions having different osmotic concentration are separated by a semi- permeable membrane and the movement of solvent takes place from a region of low concentration of the solute to a region where there is high concentration of the solute or from a region where there is high concentration of solvent to a region where there is low concentration of solvent.

 

When cell is placed in a hypertonic solution water moves out, first from cytoplasm and then from vacuole. Cell membrane shrinks away from the cell wall. This is known as plasmolysis.

 

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 Both the processes involve passive movement of a substance from an area of its high concentration to an area of low concentration. The major difference revolves around the type of substance being transported. Diffusion involves the transport of solute molecules in a solution whereas osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area where they are in a higher concentration to the area where they are in a low concentration (from high water potential to low water potential). 
The other difference is that diffusion occurs without a membrane whereas osmosis occurs across a semi-permeable membrane. Also, the flow of molecules occurs in one direction only whereas in diffusion, molecules may diffuse in any direction. 
Also, diffusion may also occur in gases besides liquids but osmosis only occurs in aqueous solutions. Osmosis is also relatively slower than diffusion. Diffusion may disperse molecules over a very long distance but osmosis generally occurs over a short distance. 
However, both processes occur in living and non-living things and both types of movements are regulated by the concentration of the molecules involved.

 

hope this helps you frnd.....

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