Diffusion is the chemical process when molecules from a material move from an area of high concentration (where there

are lots of molecules) to an area of low concentration (where there are fewer molecules). This happens through otherwise random movement. Diffusion usually happens in a gas although it can happen in a liquid. It is possible to see diffusion happening when two liquids are mixed in atransparent container. It describes the constant movement of particles in all liquids and gases.These particles move in all directions bumping into each other. Diffusion can only work with gases and liquids. Here are some examples of diffusion: A sugar cube is left in a beaker of water for a while. The smell of ammonia spread from the front of the classroom to the back of the room. Fumes of perfume rises from the bottle when the top is removed. Food coloring dropped on the beaker causing to spread out. Adding of sugar in water!

One of the most important things about diffusion is that molecules tend to move from places of high concentration to places of low concentration, just by moving randomly. Therefore, this is not the most effective way of moving in and out of cells, however there are many examples where diffusion takes place but is adapted so it is efficient. For example, there is more oxygen in a lung than there is oxygen in the blood so oxygen molecules will tend to move into the blood. Similarly, there is more carbon dioxide molecules in the blood than in the lung so carbon dioxide molecules will tend to move into the lung. Diffusion can be considered to arise from probability alone - areas of high density are, due to the random movement of fluid molecules, likely to spread out within their boundary until they can do so no longer. Diffusion is also connected to Entropy.

Osmosis is the movement of water through a plasma membrane from a region of [1] low solute concentration to a region of high concentration. It is a type of diffusion. Osmosis is passive transport, meaning it does not require energy to be applied. What causesosmotic pressure is different concentrations of solutes on the two sides of the membrane. When osmosis happens, water moves from the side of the membrane with a lower amount of osmotic pressure to the side of the membrane with the higher amount. An important example of osmosis is the movement of liquid (solvent) molecules across a cell membrane into a cell with a higher solute concentration. Osmosis is a fundamental part of cell biochemistry, but also has mechanical applications and usages.

Hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic

Hypotonic describes the less concentrated solution. An isotonic solution is when the concentration is equal on both sides of the membrane. Hypertonic describes the more concentrated solution. The usual cell biology situation is: hypotonic solution outside the cell, and hypertonic solution inside.

Cell membranes[change | edit source]

The plasma membrane of a cell is semi-permeable, which means it lets small molecules pass through, but blocks larger molecules. However, the membrane has special gateways which allow certain kinds of macromolecules to get though. This is not passive transport, but requires energy, and is selective.

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