simple diffusion

Question 1

What is diffusion?

Answer 1

Diffusion is the spreading out of particles in liquids and gases due to their continuous random motion.

Question 2

In which direction do particles move during diffusion?

Answer 2

Particles move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down the concentration gradient.

Question 3

Is diffusion an active or passive process?

Answer 3

Diffusion is a passive process, meaning it does not require energy from the cell.

Question 4

What is the net movement of particles during diffusion?

Answer 4

The net movement of particles is from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down the concentration gradient.

Question 5

What must happen for simple diffusion to occur across a membrane?

Answer 5

For simple diffusion to occur, the phospholipid bilayer must be permeable to the particles, allowing them to pass through the membrane.

Question 6

Which types of particles pass through the membrane easily during simple diffusion?

Answer 6

Non-polar particles such as oxygen pass through the membrane easily during simple diffusion.

Question 7

Why can’t ions easily pass through the phospholipid bilayer?

Answer 7

Ions, such as Na+ and Cl-, cannot easily pass through the hydrophobic centre of the phospholipid bilayer.

Question 8

How do polar molecules diffuse across the membrane?

Answer 8

Polar molecules, which have partial charges, can diffuse through the membrane but at a slower rate than non-polar molecules.

Question 9

Which polar molecules diffuse more easily through the membrane?

Answer 9

Small polar molecules, such as ethanol, can pass through the membrane more easily than large polar molecules like glucose.