What is the process called when particles move in a solution through permeable membranes?

The process where particles move in a solution through permeable membranes is known as dialysis. This process typically involves the separation of smaller particles from larger particles in a solution through a semi-permeable membrane, allowing certain substances to pass while blocking others. Dialysis is often used in medical applications, such as kidney dialysis, where waste products are removed from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function effectively.

In contrast, osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to one of higher solute concentration. Filtration involves passing a liquid or gas through a filter to remove contaminants and is not limited to the movement of particles across a membrane based on concentration gradients. Diffusion describes the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration and does not necessarily require a membrane. While diffusion can occur across a permeable membrane, it is not limited to that context, making dialysis the correct term to identify the specified process.