What is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane called?

The movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane is referred to as osmosis. This process is crucial in biological systems as it helps maintain cellular homeostasis. In osmosis, water moves to balance the concentrations of solutes on either side of the membrane, thus ensuring that cells function effectively.

Osmosis specifically involves water molecules, distinguishing it from other processes. For instance, diffusion is a broader term that applies to the movement of any type of particles from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration, not limited to water. Active transport, on the other hand, requires energy input to move substances against a concentration gradient, which is not the case with osmosis. Facilitated transport involves the use of proteins to help substances move across a membrane, but again, this is a distinct process that does not describe the specific movement of water molecules that osmosis does.