Facilitated Diffusion vs. Osmosis: Why is Facilitated Diffusion Faster?

Facilitated diffusion is faster than osmosis because it involves the movement of molecules or ions across a membrane with the help of specific' carrier proteins or channels. These proteins or channels enable molecules or ions to pass through the membrane more rapidly, as they provide a direct pathway for transport.

In facilitated diffusion, the carrier proteins or channels are selective and only allow specific' molecules or ions to pass through. This specificity allows for the quick movement of substances across the membrane, as they are directly transported to their target location.

On the other hand, osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Osmosis does not involve the use of carrier proteins or channels. Instead, it relies on the concentration gradient of solutes to drive the movement of water.

Although osmosis occurs naturally and is an important process for maintaining the balance of water in living organisms, it is generally slower than facilitated diffusion. This is because osmosis relies on the random motion of water molecules and the concentration gradient of solutes. Therefore, facilitated diffusion, with the assistance of carrier proteins or channels, can transport molecules or ions more rapidly across a membrane compared to the passive process of osmosis.