Which of the following correctly describes osmosis?

Osmosis is specifically defined as the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane. It occurs from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration in order to achieve equilibrium. This process is essential for maintaining cell turgor and fluid balance within biological systems. By moving toward the region with a higher solute concentration, water helps to dilute the solute, thereby balancing concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of osmosis. The first choice refers to the movement of solutes, which is different from osmosis, as osmosis is concerned with water. The third option mentions the random movement of liquid molecules, which is a general description of molecular motion but does not specifically relate to the directed movement of water in response to solute concentrations. The last choice discusses the influx of ions, which while important in cell function, is unrelated to the definition of osmosis.