Diffusion is mainly focused on gas particles. It is the net movement of particles from higher concentration to low concentration through partially permeable membrane by random movement, down the concentration gradient. Energy from the diffusion are gained from the kinetic energy of particle movement.
Examples: Gas exchange for respiration, getting rid of waste products.
Factors that influence diffusion
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from high level water potential (dilute solution) to low level water potential (concentrated solution) through partially permeable membrane.
Effects of Animal and Plant cells in hyper/hypotonic solutions
| Water Potential | Animal Cell | Plant Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Low Water Potential | ||
| Hypertonic Solution | ||
| (High Concentrated) | Diffuse out. | |
| Shrink and crenated. | Diffuse out. | |
| Flaccid, floppy | ||
| and plasmolysed. | ||
| High Water Potential | ||
| Hypotonic Solution | ||
| (Low Concentrated) | Diffuse in. | |
| Swell and burst. | Diffuse In. | |
| Becomes turgid | ||
| and deplasmolysed. |
Active Transport is the movement of ions or larger molecules from low concentration to high concentration by protein carrier using energy from respiration. Example: Root Hair Cell going through Active Transport by allowing nitrate ions to enter.