23 November 2012

#17 Diffusion

Diffusion is the net movement of molecules from a region of its higher concentration to a region of its lower concentration. Molecules move down a concentration gradient, as a result of their random movement. 










For living cells, the principle of the movement down a concentration gradient is the same, but there is one problem:

The cell is surrounded by a cell membrane, which can restrict the free movement of the molecules  à  This is a selective permeable membrane: the composition of the membrane (lipid and protein) allows some molecules to cross with ease, but others with difficulty or not at all. The simplest sort of selection is based on the size of the molecules.  

Importance of gaseous and solute diffusion

Diffusion helps living organisms to:
  • obtain many of their requirements
  • get rid of many of their waste products
  • gas exchange for respiration

Examples
  • CO2 uses by plants for photosynthesis is diffuses from the air into the leaves, through the stomata (pores at the surface of leaves). There is a lower concentration of CO2 inside the leaf, as the cells are using it up. O2 (waste product of photosynthesis diffuses out in the same way).
  • Flowering plants use diffusion to attract pollinators like bees.  
  • Some of the products of digestion are absorbed from the ileum of mammals by diffusion.

Site of diffusion
Substance
Description
Alveoli of lungs
O2
Alveoli à Blood capillaries

CO2
Blood capillaries à Alveoli
Stomata of leaf
O2
Air spaces of leaf à Atmosphere

  
Gas exchange between alveolar spaces and capillaries.

Factors favoring diffusion
  • Distance (the shorter the better), e.g. thin walls of alveoli and capillaries.
  • Concentration gradient (the bigger the better). This can be maintained by removing the substance as it passes across the diffusion surface. (Think about oxygenated blood being carried away from the surface of alveoli).
  • Size of the molecules (the smaller the better).
  • Surface area for diffusion (the larger the better).
  • Temperature (molecules have more kinetic energy at higher temperature). 

Importance of water as a solvent
  • Most cells contain about 75% of water.
  • Many substances move around a cell dissolved in water.
  • Many important reactions take place in water.


Additional resource: http://askmichellebiology.blogspot.com

6 comments:

  1. Thanks so much! Great site... 11/10 or 110% as they'd say! :)

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  2. Why does CO2 travel from the blood capillaries into the alveoli? :\

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you're right - I think that's a mistake

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    2. Is it really a mistake?

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    3. It's not a mistake, when you breathe CO2 enters the body, so when blood goes into the veins from cells it contains a bit of CO2 so it is moved by the veins and the blood capillaries into the alveoli so it can be exhaled out of the body

      Delete