Transport in Cells Flashcards
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the spreading out of particles resulting in net movement from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration, until the particles reach equilibrium (evenly distributed)
Why does diffusion happen in both solutions and gases?
Because the particles are free to move about randomly
Why is net movement more accurate?
The overall movement of particles is from high to low concentration, however as particles move randomly, some will occasionally move from low to high
What is the concentration gradient?
The difference in concentration
The bigger/steeper the concentration gradient…
the faster the diffusion rate
What does a higher temperature do to the diffusion rate and why?
It will give a increased diffusion rate because the particles have more energy and therefore can move around faster
As the dimensions of an object get smaller, the surface are to volume ratio gets…
bigger
As objects increase in volume, they get a _____ surface area to volume relationship
smaller
The higher the surface area to volume ration is, the _____ the rate of diffusion is, why?
higher, becuase larger surface area means more particles can pass through at once
How are the lungs adapted to do diffusion? (3)
- Lungs contain millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli, meaning a high SA:V - which means quick diffusion rates
- Alveoli have walls that are 1 cell thick = a short diffusion path therefore easy diffusion
- Alveoli have a constant supply of blood, meaning the concentration gradient is maintained and oxygen is always moving into the blood, or carbon dioxide out.
How is the small intestine adapted to do diffusion? (3)
- The small intestine contains millions of tiny folds called villi (which are covered in microvilli as well) meaning a high SA:V - which means quick diffusion rates
- Villi have thin walls for a short diffusion pathway, meaning faster nutrient absorption
- Villi have a constant blood supply, which maintains the concentration gradient, meaning nutrients are always moving into the blood
How are leaves adapted for diffusion? (3)
- Every leaf has a flattened shape to increase surface area, and SA:V ratio - which means quick diffusion rates
- Leaves are thin, meaning a short diffusion pathway so gases can diffuse in and out easily
- Leaves have stomata which are small holes on the underside of the leaf that allow gases to diffuse in and out easily
How are fish adapted for diffusion? (3)
- Fish gills are made of millions of filaments which are covered in lamellae, this means a high SA:V - which means quick diffusion rates
- The gills have a constant blood supply, meaning the concentration gradient is maintained and gases are always diffusing in and out of the blood
- Fish blood flows in the opposite direction to water which is better for diffusion
What is Osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water from a dilute solution (high water concentration) to a concentrate solution (lower water concentration) through a partially permeable membrane
What is a partially permeable membrane?
A membrane with very small holes in it, such that only tiny molecules such as water can pass through the membrane, and not bigger particles such as sucrose.