Difference Between Osmosis and Dialysis

Osmosis vs Dialysis

In our bodies there are usually some processes and interactions which happen to our systems. Unknowingly, most of the people do not know this especially in the math and arts degrees. So people in the science field must have taken the advantage in knowing these body processes and their application to the real world.

Two of these body processes which occur within our bodies are osmosis and dialysis. Dialysis may be a more familiar word as maybe we have relatives undergoing dialysis for therapeutic purposes. But this time, it is different. This is the dialysis which happens in our cells at a cellular level. Osmosis, on the other hand, is not a familiar word nor the name itself does not ring a bell. Let us tackle both words and differentiate between each.

Osmosis is the passing of water molecules from a low pressure to a high pressure across a semipermeable membrane. Osmosis has the capability to allow the passage of water through the holes. However, it does not have the capabilities to block particular molecules such as salt or glucose.
Dialysis, on the other hand, involves separation. What separates is the smaller molecules against the larger molecules with a different membrane which is also permeable. This permeable membrane allows the passage of smaller molecules while blocking larger molecules the same as osmosis.

To differentiate and understand further, osmosis takes it part by only allowing that amount of solvent that will be allowed across the semipermeable membrane. On the other hand, dialysis emphasizes what type of solute, such as salt, glucose, protein, fats, etc. will be allowed to pass through the membrane.
So where can osmosis and dialysis be applied? Well, for osmosis, scientists can study certain organisms with different types of osmotic activities. This can be used in medicine which can allow how much solvent can pass through the body or can be excreted in the body when the body cannot for itself at times of a particular illness.

Dialysis, on the other hand, can be applied in real life to those who have kidney problems. By allowing some solute to pass through the machine, it can able to remove wastes and toxins by filtering it using the solute.

Osmosis can also explain the function of osmotic diuretics which are medications allowing them to drain fluids from the brain. Osmosis and dialysis are two important cellular processes that the scientific and medical community takes into consideration.

Summary:

1.Osmosis is the flow of a solvent from a lower concentration to a higher concentration while dialysis is the passage of a solute in a permeable membrane.
2.Osmosis can be used in the field of biochemistry and pharmacology while dialysis is used in the field of medicine in helping patients with renal failure excrete their body wastes.

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