What is Diffusion?
Diffusion can be defined as the movement of particles from an area where they are at a high concentration to areas where they are at a lower concentration. This will continue until the particles' concentration is uniformed throughout.
What is facilitated Diffusion?
This involves the movement of specific molecules down a concentration gradient (difference in concentration). This is done using a carrier protein, which binds to the molecule allowing it to pass through the membrane. Examples of these include amino acids and glucose.
What is Osmosis?
This is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area of high water potential to an area of lower water potential. Having a partially permeable membrane means it only allows for some molecules to pass through but not all usually it does not allow for larger solute molecules to pass through.
Active Transport
This is the movement of molecules against a concentration gradient (from lower to higher concentration) with the use of energy. The energy supplied comes from ATP of the mitochondria.
The table below shows examples where the processes mentioned above are operative:
Process | Cases where process is taking place |
Diffusion | Gas exchanges in photosynthesis: · More carbon dioxide is outside the leaf than inside so carbon dioxide will diffuse into the leaf while the opposite happens for oxygen. |
Facilitated Diffusion | Glucose is too large to pass through pores of the membrane therefore it has to bind to a specific carrier protein in order to pass through. |
Osmosis | In the roots of plants water is absorbed from the soil. |
Active Transport | Re-absorption of salts in the proximal convoluted tubule. |
Other Resources:
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Read Exocytosis | Endocytosis
2 Response to Diffusion, Osmosis and Active Transport
You've taken me back to my science students years! Thanks! I really enjoyed going to the lab!
Osmosis! I remember studying this phenomenon when I was at school!
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