General Diffusion

• Diffusion

  1. Movement of a substance from high concentration to low concentration

  2. Molecules continuously move even when equal on each side

  3. Passive transport that does not require added energy
• Diffusion

  • Occurs in water, air, and across cell membranes
  • Rate affected by distance, temperature, solvent/molecule characteristics, and barrier characteristics
• Diffusion is critical for life as it allows materials to get into cells and waste to get out
• Diffusion is not the only type of cell transport, but is responsible for many critical processes
• The cell membrane allows substances to pass through it by diffusion, osmosis or active transport.
• In diffusion, particles move from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration until they reach equilibrium.