Diffusion

Dissolved or gaseous substances have to pass through the cell membrane to get
into or out of a cell. Diffusion is one of the processes that allow this to happen.

Diffusion occurs when particles spread. They move from a region where they are in
high concentration to a region where they are in low concentration. Diffusion
happens when the particles are free to move. This is true in gases and for particles
dissolved in solutions - but diffusion does not occur in solids.

Particles diffuse down a concentration gradient, from an area of high concentration

to an area of low concentration. This is how the smell of cooking travels around the
house from the kitchen, for example.

Examples of diffusion in living organisms

Products of digestion, dissolved in water, can pass across the wall of the small
intestine by diffusion. Their concentration is higher in the small intestine than their
concentration in the blood, so there is a concentration gradient from the intestine to
the blood.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide, dissolved in water, are exchanged by diffusion in the
lungs:

oxygen moves down a concentration gradient from the air in the alveoli to
the blood

carbon dioxide moves down a concentration gradient from the blood to the
air in the alveoli

The dissolved substances will only continue to diffuse while there is a concentration
gradient.
Gas exchange in the lungs happening in the alveoli

Osmosis

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules, from a region of higher

concentration to a region of lower concentration, through a partially permeable
membrane. A dilute solution contains a high concentration of water molecules,
while a concentrated solution contains a low concentration of water molecules.

Partially permeable membranes are also called selectively permeable

membranes or semi-permeable membranes. They let some substances pass
through them, but not others.

When the concentration is the same on both sides of the membrane, the movement
of water molecules will be the same in both directions. At this point, the net
exchange of water is zero and there is no further change in the liquid levels.

Osmosis in cells

The results of osmosis are different in plant and animal cells.

Plant cells

Plant cells have a strong cellulose cell wall on the outside of the cell membrane.
This supports the cell and stops it bursting when it gains water by osmosis.

A plant cell in a dilute solution

(higher water potential than the
cell contents)
Water enters the cell by osmosis. The
cytoplasm pushes against the cell wall
and the cell becomes turgid.
A plant cell in a concentrated
solution (lower water potential
than the cell contents)
Water leaves the cell by osmosis. The
cytoplasm pulls away from the cell
wall (plasmolysis) and the cell
becomes flaccid and the plant wilts.
 Turgid plant cells play an important
part in supporting the plant.

Animal cells

Animal cells do not have a cell wall. They change size and shape when put into
solutions that are at a different concentration to the cell contents.

For example, red blood cells:

gain water, swell and burst in a more dilute solution (this is called
haemolysis)

lose water and shrink in a more concentrated solution (they become

crenated or wrinkled)

These things do not happen inside the body. Osmoregulation involving the kidneys
ensures that the concentration of the blood stays about the same as the
concentration of the cell contents.

Active transport

Active transport is the movement of dissolved molecules from a region of lower

concentration to a region of higher concentration. The particles move against the
concentration gradient, using energy released during respiration.

Sometimes dissolved molecules are at a higher concentration inside the cell than
outside, but, because the organism needs these molecules, they still have to be
absorbed. Carrier proteins pick up specific molecules and take them through the
cell membrane against the concentration gradient.
Examples of active transport include:
uptake of glucose by epithelial cells in the villi of the small intestine
uptake of ions from soil water by root hair cells in plants

Active transport vs diffusion and osmosis

Active
Diffusion Osmosis
transport

Down a
concentration
gradient

Against a
concentration
gradient

Energy needed

Substance moved Dissolved solutes Water Dissolved solutes

Partially
Gases and
permeable Carrier protein
Notes dissolved gases
membrane needed
also diffuse
needed

Movement across cell membranes The movement of particles from high

1. What is diffusion? concentration to low concentration
The movement of particles from low Active movement of particles, requiring
concentration to high concentration energy from respiration
 2. Which process is responsible for They lose water by osmosis
gas exchange in the lungs? They lose water by active transport
Diffusion
Osmosis 6. Which process needs carrier
Active transport proteins in the cell membrane?
Diffusion
3. What will happen to cut fruit Osmosis
pieces sprinkled with sugar? Active transport
They will gain water by osmosis
They will not change 7. Which process happens against a
They will lose water by osmosis concentration gradient?
Diffusion
4. What happens to red blood cells Osmosis
when they are put into water? Active transport
They lose water and shrink, becoming
wrinkled 8. What happens to the rate of
Their size and shape does not change diffusion as the temperature
They gain water and swell increases?
It decreases
5. Why do plant cells become flaccid It increases
in concentrated sugar solution? It stays the same
They gain water by osmosis