Compare And Contrast Osmosis And Diffusion

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Osmosis and diffusion are two important processes in the human body that help in the functioning of cells and providing homeostasis, or maintaining proper functioning of the body and its systems working together. The cell has many different components, including a cytoplasm containing organelles; however, one of the most complex and vital units of a cell is the plasma membrane. Membranes of the cell have many different parts that help keep the integrity of the cell together (Lombard 2014). With all of the components of the membrane working in sync, many functions can be completed at once, such as protection, control of products going in and out of the cell, and assistance in maintaining a properly functioning cell (Lombard 2014). The phospholipid …show more content…

Osmosis is the movement of water from a higher concentration to a lower concentration with the overall goal being to ensure that a cell, or any bodily function that requires osmosis, remains in a state of equality or stability between the solute and the solvent (Allen and Harper 2014). Both osmosis and diffusion are important aspects in body functions, with the kidneys being the most prominent example. According to Olivier Devuyst and Bengt Rippe, studies indicate a treatment for individuals facing kidney disease involves the process of diffusion and osmosis across the membrane surrounding the kidneys to deliver medication through the body to enter the kidneys (Devuyst and Rippe 2014). Another example signifying the importance of diffusion in the body is through blood and the circulation of blood throughout the body (Reasoner 2011). Blood circulates throughout the body providing oxygen to the lungs and brain, meaning that there is more oxygen within the lungs than there is in the blood (Reasoner 2011). Once oxygen has deposited the oxygen to its proper location, there is an unequal amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, which needs to be equalized (Reasoner 2011). In order to do so, the body expels the carbon dioxide through breathing, while continuing to transfer oxygen to the blood and lungs, along with other organs in need of oxygen (Reasoner

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