No, a cell does not use energy during osmosis. Osmosis is a passive transport process that involves the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.
In osmosis, water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This movement continues until equilibrium is reached, meaning the concentrations of solutes become equal on both sides of the membrane. Since osmosis relies on the natural kinetic energy of water molecules rather than cellular energy (ATP), it does not require any energy expenditure from the cell.
Understanding osmosis is crucial for grasping how cells maintain their internal environments and how they interact with their surroundings. This is essential for various biological processes such as nutrient absorption and waste removal.