Select the correct statement about osmosis.

• A. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.
• B. Osmosis is the movement of solute molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through any membrane.
• C. Osmosis requires energy in the form of ATP to move water molecules across the membrane.
• D. Osmosis only occurs in plant cells and not in animal cells.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of osmosis. Osmosis is a type of passive transport where water molecules move across a selectively permeable membrane. This movement occurs without the need for energy (ATP).
2. Step 2: Recognize the driving force behind osmosis. Water molecules move from an area of low solute concentration (high water concentration) to an area of high solute concentration (low water concentration) to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane.
3. Step 3: Clarify that osmosis involves water molecules, not solute molecules. Solute molecules do not move during osmosis; instead, water moves to dilute the higher solute concentration.
4. Step 4: Note that osmosis is not limited to plant cells. It occurs in both plant and animal cells, as both types of cells have selectively permeable membranes.
5. Step 5: Eliminate incorrect statements based on the above understanding. For example, osmosis does not require ATP, does not involve solute movement, and is not exclusive to plant cells. The correct statement is the one describing water movement from low to high solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.