diffusion Flashcards
What is diffusion
-Diffusion is the net movement of particles down a concentration gradient: from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration.
-Passive process as no energy required
What are factors affecting simple diffusion
-Concentration gradient
-Membrane thickness
-Surface area
-Temperature
What is facilitated diffusion
-Larger molecules and ions would move slowly through the membrane so they need to diffuse through specialised carrier or channel proteins
-Still a passive process
What is faster simple or facilitated diffusion
-Facilitated diffusion
Details of facilitated diffusion through carrier proteins
-Large molecule attaches to carrier protein.
-This causes protein to change shape, releasing molecule to other side of membrane.
-Different carrier proteins needed for different shaped molecules.
Details of facilitated diffusion through channel proteins
-Form pores in the membrane allowing charged molecules to move through.
-Different channel proteins needed for different charged particles.
Factors affecting facilitated diffusion
-Concentration gradient
-Number of channel,carrier proteins