Diffusion Flashcards
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the spreading out of particles from a higher area of concentration, to an area of lower concentration.
Where does diffusion happen?
Diffusion happens in solutions and gases and cells. i.e perfume diffusing through the air in a room
What is the difference in concentration called?
The concentration gradient.
What effects the rate of diffusion?
The bigger difference the difference in concentration, the higher the temperature (as the particles have more energy is move quicker) and the larger the membrane surface area (as there’s more room for particles to enter at one time)
What lets things diffuse in and out of a cell?
The cell membrane. But only very small molecules can pass through it like oxygen, amino acids, glucose and water.
What are examples of some molecules that can’t pass through the membrane.
Larger molecules, like proteins and starch, aren’t small enough to fit through the membrane.
Do particles ever move one way through a cell?
No the particles always move both ways but if there are a lot more particles on one side of the membrane there will be a net movement from that side.
