Diffusion and osmosis

● Diffusion is the only way that a substance can travel through in some cells
● In a cell with the process of respiration the concentration of CO2 in the
Cytoplasm increases which then moves out of the cell by diffusion.(Oxygen also
enters by diffusion)
●
Factors affecting diffusion

● Faster if the concentration gradient is steep

● The higher the temperature the more kinetic energy and faster diffusion

● The larger the molecule the slower the diffusion

● If the surface area is large the the rate of diffusion will be higher

● Osmosis is the diffusion of two solutions with different concentrations of solutes

● The partially permeable membrane will not allow large molecules to pass through
●

● If the outside of a cell has a lower water potential then the water will move out
● A solution in which the net water potential is equal in and outside of the cell is
called an ISOTONIC solution
● A solution which has a higher water potential (Less concentrated) than the cell is
HYPOTONIC
● A solution which has a lower water potential (More concentrated) is called
HYPERTONIC
So basically, Isotonic means equal concentration, Hypotonic means less
concentration and Hypertonic means more concentration
● Plant cell can withstand more difference in water potential because of the cell
wall
● Hypotonic: Turgid
● Hypertonic: Flaccid and eventually Plasmolysed
● Isotonic: Remains the same
●

● This also the way that water reaches the xylem vessels through the roots
● The soil has a higher water potential than the root hair cell therefore the water
moves into the root hair cell by osmosis.
● Active transport happens against the concentration gradient and requires an
external source of energy
● In this process the cell uses energy from respiration to send molecules or ions
against the concentration gradient.
● The energy is in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is pure energy
● Active transport occurs in the roots of plants so that the ions and molecules like
potassium ions in the soil can be transferred to the roots
● But in some cases the soil has a higher concentration than the root so diffusion is
possible like a soil containing calcium ions or a Nitrate fertilizer
● The ileum which is in the intestine can absorb glucose by active transport which
is in low concentration in the ileum
● It is absorbed by the lining of the cell and into the blood.