Diffusion Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is diffusion?

The net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, down a concentration gradient.
It is passive — no energy is needed.

Name two gases that move into or out of cells by diffusion.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide.
e.g. carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into an alveolus.

True or false? Oxygen moves into and out of cells by osmosis.

False. Oxygen moves by diffusion — osmosis is the movement of water only.

True or false? Diffusion can only take place across a cell membrane.

False. Diffusion happens in any gas or liquid where particles are free to move; it is osmosis that must take place through a partially permeable membrane.