What is the process called where water molecules pass through the cell membrane?

The process where water molecules pass through the cell membrane is called osmosis. Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion that pertains exclusively to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. During osmosis, water molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration (where there is a higher concentration of water) to an area of higher solute concentration (where there is a lower concentration of water) in order to achieve equilibrium.

This process is vital for maintaining cell turgor pressure, which helps keep plant cells rigid, and it also plays a crucial role in various biological functions in both plant and animal cells. Understanding osmosis is essential for grasping how cells interact with their environment and how substances are transported within living organisms.