What is the process called when water diffuses through a selectively permeable membrane?

The process in which water diffuses through a selectively permeable membrane is called osmosis. Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable or selectively permeable membrane. This movement continues until there is an equal concentration of solutes on both sides of the membrane or until the osmotic pressure is balanced.

Osmosis is a crucial biological process because it helps regulate the internal environment of cells and organisms, influencing everything from nutrient absorption to waste removal. It is distinct from general diffusion, which refers to the movement of solutes or other substances across a membrane without specificity to water. Filtration involves the movement of water and solutes through a membrane due to pressure differences, and exocytosis is a cellular process for transporting materials out of the cell using vesicles.