Which of the following statements about osmosis is correct?

• A. Osmosis requires energy input in the form of ATP.
• B. Osmosis is the movement of solute particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
• C. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane.
• D. Osmosis occurs only in non-aqueous solutions.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules, typically water, across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Step 2: Recognize that osmosis does not require energy input (ATP); it is a passive process driven by concentration gradients.
3. Step 3: Differentiate osmosis from diffusion of solutes. Osmosis specifically involves the movement of solvent molecules, not solute particles.
4. Step 4: Note that osmosis occurs in aqueous solutions where water is the solvent, so the statement about osmosis occurring only in non-aqueous solutions is incorrect.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct statement is: 'Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane.'