Intro And Histology Of The Heart

Question 1

How does area affect diffusion?

Answer 1

Increased area available for exchange increases the rate of diffusion. Depends on capillary density, more metabolically active tissue have more capillaries.

Question 2

What affects diffusion resistance?

Answer 2

The nature of the molecule eg hydrophilic/hydrophobic, size
The nature of the barrier eg pore size, number of pores
The path length eg capillary density (shortest in most active tissues)

Question 3

How does the concentration gradient affect diffusion?

Answer 3

The concentration gradient must be maintained for exchange to continue, the greater the gradient the greater the rate of diffusion. Depends on rate of use and rate of blood flow.

Question 4

What factors affect diffusion?

Answer 4

1. Area
2. Diffusion resistance
3. Concentration gradient