11/18/22, 1:33 PM Cell Diffusion

Cell Diffusion
Simple diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to
energy is needed as molecules are moving down a concentration gradient in a passiv

Example

Think about someone spraying a perfume bottle in the corner of a room. The perf
where the bottle has been sprayed but over time, the molecules will travel from th
where there are no perfume molecules. The same concept applies to molecules t

Molecule diffusion 

The cell membrane is a partially permeable membrane which favours the passage
diffusion. Small, uncharged polar molecules can freely diffuse through the phospholip

Oxygen and carbon dioxide

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported via simple diffusion during gaseous ex
higher concentration of oxygen molecules than in the capillaries. Meanwhile, there is
dioxide molecules in the capillaries than in the alveoli. Due to this concentration gra
capillaries and carbon dioxide will diffuse into the alveoli. 

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Fig. 1 - An illustration of gaseous exchange in the alveoli

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Urea 

The waste product urea (from the breakdown of amino acids) is made in the liver,
concentration of urea in liver cells than in the blood.  By simple diffusion, urea wi
concentration gradient.  This is because urea is highly polar, meaning that the cell
molecules. 

Deep dive

Urea is made from the deamination (removal of an amine group) of amino acids. 
by the kidneys, hence why it diffuses into the bloodstream.

What is facilitated diffusion? 

This type of diffusion follows all the rules of simple diffusion but here, membrane pro
molecule across the phospholipid bilayer. Recall the cell membrane structure - the h
makes the cell membrane impermeable to charged molecules, like ions. Therefore, th
transport of these charged molecules. Facilitated diffusion is still a passive process as
a concentration gradient without any energy expenditure. 

The two types of membrane proteins needed are channel and carrier proteins, which

Channel proteins 

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These proteins are transmembrane proteins, meaning they span the width of the p
suggests, these proteins provide a hydrophilic 'channel' through which polar and cha
such as ions.

Many of these channel proteins are gated channel proteins that can open or clo
stimuli. This allows the channel proteins to regulate the passage of molecules. The ma

Voltage (voltage-gated channels)

Mechanical pressure (mechanically-gated channels)
Ligand binding (ligand-gated channels)

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Fig. 2 - An illustration of channel 

proteins
embedded in a membrane

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Carrier proteins 

Carrier proteins are also transmembrane proteins, but these undergo a reversible
protein shape to transport the molecules across the cell membrane. The process by w

1. Molecule binds to the binding site on the carrier protein. 

2. The carrier protein undergoes a conformational change. 
3.  The molecule is shuttled from one side of the cell membrane to the other. 
4. The carrier protein returns to its original conformation. 

It is important to note that carrier proteins are involved in both passive transport
transport, ATP is not needed as the carrier protein relies on the concentration gradie
as the carrier protein shuttles molecules against their concentration gradient. 

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Fig. 3 - An illustration of a carrier protein embedded in a membra

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Nerve impulses 

Neurons carry nerve impulses along their axon. This is done through facilitated diffusi
for sodium ions. They are termed voltage-gated sodium ion channels as they open in

The cell membrane of neurons have a resting membrane potential (-70mV) and
pressure, can trigger this membrane potential to become less negative. This change
voltage-gated sodium ion channels to open. Sodium ions enter the cell through the
depolarization. 

Glucose transport 

Glucose is a large and highly polar molecule and therefore cannot diffuse across the
transport of glucose into a cell relies on facilitated diffusion by carrier proteins ca
(GLUTs). Note that glucose transport via GLUTs is always passive. 

Let's take a look at glucose entering red blood cells. There are many GLUTs distribute
as these cells rely entirely on glycolysis to make ATP. There is a higher concentration
red blood cell. The GLUTs use this concentration gradient to transport the glucose i
need for ATP.

What factors affect the rate of diffusion? 

Certain factors will affect the rate at which substances will diffuse. Below are the main

Concentration gradient 
Distance 

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Temperature 
Surface area 
Molecular properties 

Concentration gradient 

This is defined as the difference in the concentration of a molecule in two separate r

in concentration, the faster the rate of diffusion.  This is because if one region conta
time, these molecules will move to the other region more rapidly. 

Distance 

The smaller the diffusion distance, the faster the rate of diffusion. This is because yo
as far to get to the other region. 

Temperature 

Recall that diffusion relies on the random movement of particles due to kinetic
molecules will have more kinetic energy. Therefore, the higher the temperature, the fa

Surface area 

The larger the surface area, the faster the rate of infusion.  This is because at any
diffuse across the surface. 

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Molecular properties 

Cell membranes are permeable to small, uncharged nonpolar molecules. This include

cell membrane is impermeable to larger, charged polar molecules. This includes gluco

Membrane proteins 

Facilitated diffusion relies on the presence of membrane proteins. Some cell membran

of these membrane proteins to increase the rate of facilitated diffusion. 

Adaptations for gas exchange in the lungs

So we have discussed the factors that affect how quickly molecules can diffuse acros
how our body has adapted for efficient diffusion is the gaseous exchange that oc
alveoli. 

A steep concentration is constantly maintained due to ventilation and blood flow. 

supply of oxygen to the alveoli, while the oxygen in the blood flows away. Meanwhile
away and the blood flow supplies the carbon dioxide. This allows the gases to diffuse
concentration.

The diffusion distance for the gases is kept extremely small as the capillary endothe
thick.  Additionally, the capillaries are wrapped closely around the alveoli, meaning
far. These properties allow for a short diffusion distance and, therefore, a faster rate of

A larger surface area is provided for by the many alveoli present in each lung. This
dioxide to diffuse across the surface at any given time, allowing for a faster rate of diff

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Adaptations for rapid transport in the ileum

Facilitated diffusion occurs in the epithelial cells of the ileum to absorb molecules
adaptations that help increase the rate of transport. 

The epithelial cells contain microvilli which make up the brush border of the ileum. M
that increase the surface area for transport.  There is also an increased density of
epithelial cells. This means more molecules can be transported at any given time. 

A steep concentration gradient between the ileum and the blood is maintained by
moves into the blood by facilitated diffusion down its concentration gradient and d
glucose is being constantly removed. This increases the rate of facilitated diffusion. 

The ileum is lined with a single layer of epithelial cells.  This provides a short d
molecules. 

Cell Diffusion - Key takeaways

Simple diffusion is the movement of molecules down their concentration gradie
is the movement of molecules down their concentration gradient using membran
Facilitated diffusion uses channel proteins and carrier proteins, which are both m
The rate of diffusion is mainly determined by the concentration gradient, d
surface area and molecular properties. 

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