Water tends to move to areas where there is a __________ solute concentration during osmosis.

• A. lower
• B. zero
• C. equal
• D. higher

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of osmosis: it is the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Recall that water moves to balance solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane, aiming to equalize the concentration.
3. Identify that water moves toward the side with the higher solute concentration because that side has fewer free water molecules due to solute particles occupying space.
4. Recognize that the driving force for osmosis is the difference in solute concentration, causing water to move from lower to higher solute concentration areas.
5. Therefore, the correct completion of the sentence is: Water tends to move to areas where there is a higher solute concentration during osmosis.