Basic Concepts (copy into exercise book!

)
 Molecules are free to move in:
 Liquids/aqueous solutions
 Gases
Topic 3.1
 Molecules are in constant random
Diffusion, Osmosis
3 processes of transporting materials in & out of cells
motion due to their kinetic energy
 More molecules in a region (higher
Active transport conc): More chances of molecules
moving to another region
--> Net movement: DIFFUSION

Diffusion Diffusion
 The net movement of molecules or
ions from a region where they are in
higher concentration to a region
where they are in lower
concentration, down a
concentration gradient
 Concentration gradient:
 Difference in concentration between two
regions

Diffusion What happens after some time?

 Diffusion eventually stops when the
particles (in constant motion) are
uniformly distributed between the
2 regions
 Concentration Gradient = 0
 In Dynamic Equilibrium = no net
movement of molecules or ions

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Concentration Gradient Dynamic equilibrium
Region of high concentration

All regions are of the same concentrations

Concentration
(Equilibrium)
gradient
Diffusion occurs down a
concentration/ diffusion gradient
No net diffusion when equilibrium is reached
Region of low concentration

(1) Diffusion of Solutes (1) Diffusion of Solutes

(without membrane) (without membrane)
 The
dissolved
solid
particles
(solutes)
diffuse
evenly
throughout
the liquid
(solvent).

(2) Diffusion of Solutes (through (2) Diffusion of Solutes (through

a fully permeable membrane) a fully permeable membrane)
 Ifthere is more than one substance
dissolved in the same liquid, then the
dissolved particles of one substance
diffuse independently of the other.

2
(3) Diffusion of Solutes (through Diffusion across cell membranes
a partially permeable membrane)
 Cell surface membrane is partially
Iodine Starch permeable
solution solution (i.e allows some substance to pass
(yellow) through but not others).
 A substance can diffuse in and out of
the cell across the cell surface
Visking membrane if it is one of the
Tubing substances that the membrane
allows to pass through.

Rate of diffusion: Factor I

 Concentration gradient:
 The greater the gradient, the faster the
diffusion rate
Region of high concentration

Think about it…

What factors would affect Concentration
the rate of diffusion? Diffusion occurs down a
gradient
concentration/ diffusion gradient

Region of low concentration

Concentration Gradient Rate of diffusion: Factor I

 To achieve rapid
St
ee
diffusion:
Region of high concentration

pe Fresh supply of substance

r( 
Fa Concentration
ste
gradient
needs to reach surface
r)
 Substances that have
crossed the surface need to
be transported away
 Example:
 Gaseous exchange in the
Region of low concentration lungs

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 Rate of diffusion: Factor II Rate of diffusion: Factor III
 Diffusion distance:  Area across which
 The shorter the distance over which diffusion occurs:
diffusion occurs, the faster the diffusion rate  The larger the surface
 To achieve rapid diffusion: area, the faster the
 Structure or surface needs to be thin to diffusion rate
ensure a short diffusion distance  To achieve rapid
 Example: diffusion:
 Capillaries  Surface area needs to
be large
 Example:
 Root hair cells

Rate of diffusion: Factor IV Rate of diffusion: Factor V

 Structure through which diffusion  Size and type of diffusing molecules:
occurs:  Smaller molecules diffuse faster than
larger molecules
 Pores in the physical barrier may enhance
the diffusion rate  Molecules that are soluble in the
physical barrier diffuse faster through it
 To achieve rapid diffusion:
 Large number of pores
 Larger size of pores

 Example:
 Stomata

Rate of diffusion: Factor V Rate of diffusion: Factor V

 Example:
 Oxygen diffuses more quickly compared
to carbon dioxide
 Fat-soluble substance diffuse faster
hydrochloric acid white solid, ammonia gas across the cell membrane than water-
molecules move (ammonium molecules move soluble substances
slowly (greater mass) chloride) quickly (smaller mass)

•HCl > NH3

•(HCl + NH3 NH4Cl)

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Rate of diffusion: Factor VI
 Temperature:
 The higher the temperature, the greater
the speed of motion of the particles, &
thus the faster the rate of diffusion
Rate of diffusion: Factor VII
 Pressure:
 The higher the pressure on the diffusing
particles, the faster the speed of
diffusion (from a region of higher to
lower pressure)

Potassium
Manganate (VII)
25oC 100oC
1 hour

Why is diffusion important? Gaseous exchange in the lungs

 Gaseous exchange during  How do we maintain a
respiration & photosynthesis high concentration CO2
 Gaseous exchange:
gradient?
 The movement of O2 from the lungs  Fresh supply of O2 O2
into the blood & the movement of CO2 (inhalation) into the
from the blood into the lungs alveolus
 Combination of O2
 The movement of O2 & CO2 in and out
of the leaf during respiration & with Hb of RBC
photosynthesis effectively reduces the Hb

concentration of free
O2 in the blood.

Why is diffusion important? Why is diffusion important?

 Absorption of digested soluble food
 Excretion of waste products
molecules
 Nutrient absorption:
 The movement of small soluble,
digested food molecules into the blood
Carbon dioxide
produced during
respiration
diffuses out