Does osmosis happen through the phospholipids or through proteins?

Question

Michael Adams · Accepted Answer

Both!

Osmosis is the diffusion of water into or out of cells depending on the concentration gradient. Water will flow from where the water is at a higher concentration to where water is at a lower concentration.

Watch this video for a discussion of changes in red onion cells placed into pure water or salt water environments.

Small, nonpolar molecules that can diffuse through the cell membrane include #O_2 and CO_2#. Larger molecules (glucose for example) are too large to do this. Water molecules are small enough to move through the phospholipid bilayer, but their polarity means they do not move as easily as #O_2 and CO_2# through the membrane.

So how else can water move into or out of cells?

Water can also move into or out of cells through channel proteins called aquaporins . These proteins molecules act as doorways through which water can pass.

![https://tutor.hix.ai)

This video uses a computer simulation from PhET to help you visualize how channel proteins allow for movement of particles in or out of cells and discusses the role of the concentration gradient in determining the direction of flow.

Hope this helps!

Sebastian Alvarado · Answer

undefined Osmosis primarily occurs through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. However, some proteins, such as aquaporins, facilitate the movement of water molecules across the membrane.