Which statement concerning osmosis and active transport is correct?

• A. Osmosis involves the movement of solutes, while active transport involves the movement of water.
• B. Osmosis is a passive process, while active transport requires energy from ATP.
• C. Both osmosis and active transport move substances against their concentration gradients.
• D. Active transport only occurs in plant cells, while osmosis only occurs in animal cells.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions of osmosis and active transport: Osmosis is the passive movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Active transport, on the other hand, is the movement of substances (usually solutes) against their concentration gradient, which requires energy in the form of ATP.
2. Analyze the first statement: 'Osmosis involves the movement of solutes, while active transport involves the movement of water.' This is incorrect because osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water, not solutes, and active transport typically involves solutes, not water.
3. Evaluate the second statement: 'Osmosis is a passive process, while active transport requires energy from ATP.' This is correct because osmosis does not require energy and occurs naturally due to concentration gradients, while active transport requires ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient.
4. Examine the third statement: 'Both osmosis and active transport move substances against their concentration gradients.' This is incorrect because osmosis moves water along its concentration gradient (passively), while active transport moves substances against their concentration gradient (actively).
5. Assess the fourth statement: 'Active transport only occurs in plant cells, while osmosis only occurs in animal cells.' This is incorrect because both processes occur in all types of cells, including plant and animal cells.