Tech notes (Demo) Teacher
• A3 Laminated Diffusion Print worksheet in folder
examples posters for
research (slides 11-24) Print answer to 6 mark
question 1 between 2 for
• Diffusion demo:
peer marking
Large 1L beaker x2
Kettle
Potassium permanganate
Tweezers
Glass tube
Diffusion
G4: I can define the term diffusion giving simple examples
G6: I can explain the importance of diffusion in specific living organisms
G8: I can suggest how adapting specific conditions may impact the rate of
diffusion
Keywords Starter
Diffusion, passive, net 1) Write the date and title and
movement, concentration underline it
gradient, alveoli, villi
2) Explain in terms of particles how
the smell of perfume can spread
from one side of the class to the
other
When you have just
sprayed perfume,
the concentration
of perfume particles
in that area is very
high.
Diffusion is the
passive movement
of particles from an
area of high
concentration to an
area of low
concentration
MOVING MOLECULES
In which states are molecules able to diffuse?
solid (e.g. liquid (e.g. gas (e.g.
ice) water) steam)
Molecules in liquids and gases are
constantly moving and bumping into each
other. This means that they tend to spread
DIFFUSION
❑ The net movement of particles from an area of
high concentration to an area of low
concentration
❑ Due to the random movement of particles
❑ A passive process which means that no
energy is needed
LOW HIGH
concentration concentration
A difference in concentration
between 2 areas is called a
CONCENTRATION GRADIENT.
What effect might the gradient have
on speed of diffusion?
Draw both sets of diagrams, write how
Rate of the rate of diffusion changes when the
concentration gradient changes
Diffusion
Fast
Steep concentration gradient
Slow
Shallow concentration gradient
FACTORS AFFECTING DIFFUSION
❑ Concentration gradient
❑ Temperature
❑ Distance particles must travel
Complete the sentence below
Diffusion is faster with a...
⮚ Steeper concentration gradient
⮚ Higher Temperature
⮚ Shorter distance
TASK
Use the information around the room to
Complete your worksheet.
Pay careful attention as you will need to answer
a 6 mark exam question at the end.
BIOLOGICAL DIFFUSION
Dissolved substances have to pass through the
partially permeable cell membrane to get into or
out of a cell.
Diffusion is one of the processes that allows this to
happen..
What substances
are we talking
about?
WHY IS DIFFUSION IMPORTANT?
All living cells rely on diffusion to live.
They use it for:
⯄ Getting raw materials for
respiration (dissolved
substances and gases)
⯄ Removing waste products (eg. from respiration)
⯄ Plants use of photosynthesis (raw materials
in, waste products out)
Examples
1. DIFFUSION AND BREATHING
Oxygen in inhaled air
diffuses through the lungs
and into the bloodstream.
The oxygen is then
transported throughout the
body.
Carbon dioxide is the waste gas produced by
respiration. Carbon dioxide diffuses from body
tissues into the bloodstream and is exhaled via the
lungs.
Where does gas exchange take place in the lungs?
CROSS-SECTION THROUGH
AN ALVEOLUS
Alveoli are the tiny air sacs at the end of the
bronchioles, in which gas exchange occurs.
deoxygenated air
blood (from body in/out
tissues)
alveol
capillar us
y
oxygenated
blood (to
body
tissues)
red blood
HOW ARE ALVEOLI ADAPTED?
Alveoli have several adaptations that help to make
gas exchange very efficient:
● They are very thin – only one cell thick.
● They are covered by a network of fine
capillaries, so have a good blood supply
● The good supply maintains a steep
concentration gradient
● They are moist, encouraging gas molecules to
easily dissolve.
● They have a large surface area
RESPIRATION & DIFFUSION
2. DIFFUSION AND DIGESTION
Digestion breaks down large food molecules into
smaller molecules such as glucose, amino acids
and fatty acids that can be easily absorbed.
Small food molecules are usually absorbed in the
small intestine, diffusing across the intestine wall
and into the bloodstream.
HOW IS THE SMALL INTESTINE ADAPTED?
capillary
network Vil
li
small
intestine
blood
vessels
DIFFUSION IN DIGESTION
Adaptations of the Small Intestine:
1. The microvilli and villi INCREASE THE OVERALL
SURFACE AREA so faster diffusion takes place.
2. The villi have a very GOOD BLOOD SUPPLY to
maintain a steep concentration gradient
3. Thin network of Capillaries – shorter distance for
diffusion
3. DIFFUSION AND NERVES IMPULSES
A synapse is a junction between two neurones
across which electrical signals must pass.
synaptic
cleft
neurotransmit
ter
neurotransmit nerve
ter receptor impulse
Neurotransmitter molecules diffuse from vesicles
towards the neurotransmitter receptors, moving
from an area of high concentration to low
4. DIFFUSION AND
THE PLACENTA
•The placenta is an organ
that develops in the uterus
during pregnancy.
•The umbilical cord
connects the placenta to the
foetus.
•It enables nutrients and oxygen
to pass from the mother to the
foetus by diffusion, and waste
substances to diffuse from the
foetus back to the mother.
DIFFUSION AND THE PLACENTA
•The placenta can stop
certain molecules and
bacteria from diffusing
through
•It is unable to stop many
harmful substances such as
alcohol, chemicals and
some types of virus from
diffusing through, reaching
the foetus.
DIFFUSION AND THE PLACENTA
How does the placenta work?
blood to
umbilica mother
l • low in
cord O2/nutrients,
• high in
CO2/waste
placental villi
umbilica increase
l surface area for
artery diffusion
blood from
mother
umbilical • high in
vein O2/nutrients
•
PHOTOSYNTHESI
S & DIFFUSION
carbon dioxide + water → oxygen + glucose
⯄ Carbon dioxide diffuses in
through the stomata
⯄ Oxygen and water diffuse
out of the stomata
❖ During photosynthesis, the level of
CO2 is low inside the leaf
❖ This creates a big concentration
gradient so CO2 diffuses into the cell
EXAM QUESTION – 6 MARKS
Peer Assess
