GSCE

Biology Week 3. Unit B2 (B2 2.3, 2.20 2.21)

B2 2.3 Diffusion
B2 2.20 Osmosis
B2 2.21 Investigate osmosis

What is Diffusion?
Molecules in liquids and
gases are in constant
random motion.
Molecules spread from
areas of high
concentration to low
concentration. Hence
there is a net movement
of molecules. This is
called diffusion.

The rate of diffusion depends on several factors

1. The concentration gradient.
The higher it is the faster the rate of
diffusion

2. The thickness of the exchange

surface the thinner the exchange
surface (I.e. the shorter the distance
the particles have to travel), the faster
the rate of Diffusion.
3. The surface area the larger the
surface area (e.g. of the cell
membrane), the faster the rate of
diffusion.

The greater the difference between the regions of high

concentration and low concentration, the faster the substances rate
of diffusion.

Substances move into and out of cells by diffusion.

A good example of this gas exchange. The process by which oxygen
enters the lungs and carbon dioxide leaves. This exchange takes
place across the cell membranes of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs.

Gas exchange Gases crosses

DIFFUSION

Respiratory surfaces by

The surfaces are: -

Thin

(faster diffusion
rate short diff path)

Large

Structure and function of the alveoli

surface area

(efficient diffusion)

Moist (product of
respiration)

Gas exchange in an alveolus

Concentration gradient.
This is the difference in concentration between
the substance in the high and low regions

The greater the difference in

these regions the greater the
concentration gradient,
resulting in an increased rate of
diffusion.

Active Transport movement

across a cell membrane against its
concentration gradient thus,
energy is needed.

What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water (H2O) from a region of high water
concentration to low water concentration across a semi permeable
membrane. A semi permeable membrane only allows H20 across (not the
solute i.e. salts and sugars that are dissolved in water (H20 is the solvent).

Remember!!
A
solution
that
is
highly
concentrated, e.g. has a high sugar
content, will have a low water
concentration!

Example: Root hair cells.

Substances in the soil are taken up by plant root hair cells.
The diagram shows the direction of movement of two substances A and B across
the cell membrane of a root hair cell.

(i) Name process X

(ii) Name process Y.