Factors affecting simple diffusion

• Concentration gradient: Relationship

  The greater the concentration difference, the faster the rate of diffusion
• Concentration gradient: Explanation

  • A good blood or air supply helps to maintain concentration gradients by transporting substances to and from the membrane.
  • Otherwise, diffusion slows down over time as equilibrium is reached
• Membrane thickness: Relationship

  The thiner the membrane, the faster the rate of diffusion
• Membrane thickness: Explanation

  • Thin membranes reduce the distance the particles have to travel
• Surface Area: Relationship

  The larger the surface area, the faster the rate of diffusion
• Surface Area: Explanation

  • Increasing the surface area of a membrane (e.g by folding), means more particles can be exchanged in the same amount of time, increasing the rate of diffusion
• Temperature: Relationship

  The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of diffusion
• Temperature: Explanation

  • At higher temperatures, particles will have more kinetic energy so they will be able to move around faster