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Diffusion

Please help with this question:K:
Explain why diffusion is described as the net movement of molecules or ions.
Thank you
Reply 1
Avatar for Petch_su
Petch_su
OP
One more question...
Describe how epithelial cells of the villi absorb molecules of glucose from the gut contents.
Reply 2
Avatar for alkyone
alkyone
12
For the first one: diffusion depends on molecules moving freely in a medium to achieve a uniform concentration. It's the net movement because if you imagine molecules crossing a membrane for example they can move in or out, it's just that they will be moving more towards the side with the lowest concentration.

The epithelial cells have glucose transporters to take up glucose.
Reply 3
Avatar for Petch_su
Petch_su
OP
Original post by alkyone
For the first one: diffusion depends on molecules moving freely in a medium to achieve a uniform concentration. It's the net movement because if you imagine molecules crossing a membrane for example they can move in or out, it's just that they will be moving more towards the side with the lowest concentration.

The epithelial cells have glucose transporters to take up glucose.


Thank you :wink:
Reply 4
Avatar for nohaha
nohaha
2
Original post by Petch_su
Please help with this question:K:
Explain why diffusion is described as the net movement of molecules or ions.
Thank you


This is because diffusion occurs when there is a concentration gradient between two regions. It continuous until the same concentration is reached for both regions. While the particles are still moving about ( after the concentration is the same at both regions), the concentration will remain the same as there is no net movement. At this point it is no longer called diffusion!

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