Diffusion Definition: Concentration Gradient

Diffusion Definition
Diffusion is a physical process that refers to the net movement of molecules

from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration. The
material that diffuses could be a solid, liquid or gas. Similarly, the medium in
which diffusion occurs could also be in one of the three physical states.
One of the main characteristics of diffusion is the movement of molecules

along the concentration gradient. While this could be facilitated by other
molecules, it does not directly involve high-energy molecules such as
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP).
The rate of diffusion depends on the nature of interaction between the
medium and material. For instance, a gas diffuses very quickly in another gas.
An example of this is the way the noxious smell of ammonia gas spreads in
air. Similarly, if a canister of liquid nitrogen leaks a little, nitrogen gas that
escapes would quickly diffuse into the atmosphere. The same gas would
diffuse slightly more slowly in a liquid such as water and slowest in a solid.
Similarly, two miscible liquids will also diffuse into each other to form a uniform
solution. For instance, when water is mixed with glycerol, over time the two
liquids diffuse radially into each other. This can even be observed visually by
the addition of different colored dyes to each of the liquids. However, the
same phenomenon is not seen when immiscible liquids like petrol and water
are mixed together. Diffusion happens slowly and only across the small
surface of interaction between the two fluids.
Examples of Diffusion
Diffusion is an important part of many biological and chemical processes. In
biological systems, diffusion occurs at every moment, across membranes in
every cell as well as through the body.
For example, oxygen is at a higher concentration inside arteries and

arterioles, when compared with the oxygen levels in actively respiring cells. By
the time blood flows into capillaries in the muscle or liver, for instance, there is
only a single layer of cells separating this oxygen from hepatocytes or skeletal
muscle fibers. Through a process of passive diffusion, without the active
involvement of any other molecule oxygen passes through the capillary
membrane and enters cells.
Cells utilize oxygen in the mitochondria for aerobic respiration, which generates
carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. Once again, as the concentration of this
gas increases within the cell, it diffuses outwards towards capillaries where
the force of flowing blood removes the excess gas from the tissue region. This
way, the capillaries remain at a low carbon dioxide concentration, allowing the
constant movement of the molecule away from cells.
This example also shows that the diffusion of any one material is independent
of the diffusion of any other substances. When oxygen is moving towards
tissues from capillaries, carbon dioxide is entering the bloodstream.
In chemical processes, diffusion is often the central principle driving many

reactions. As a simple example, a few crystals of sugar in a glass of water will
slowly dissolve over time. This occurs because there is a net movement of
sugar molecules into the water medium. Even in large industrial reactions,
when two liquids are mixed together, diffusion brings the reactants together
and allows the reaction to proceed smoothly. For instance, one of the ways in
which polyester is synthesized is by mixing the appropriate organic acid and
alcohol in their liquid form. The reaction proceeds as the two reactants diffuse
towards each other and undergo a chemical reaction to form esters.
Factors that Affect Diffusion

Diffusion is affected by temperature, area of interaction, steepness of the
concentration gradient and particle size. Each of these factors, independently
and collectively can alter the rate and extent of diffusion.
Temperature
In any system, molecules are moving with a certain amount of kinetic energy.
This is usually not directed in any particular manner, and can appear random.
When these molecules collide with one another, there is a change in the
direction of movement as well as changes to momentum and velocity. For
example, if a block of dry ice (carbon dioxide in solid form) is placed inside a
box, carbon dioxide molecules in the center of the block mostly collide with
each other and get retained within the solid mass. However, for molecules in
the periphery, rapidly moving molecules in the air also influence their
movement, allowing them to diffuse into the air. This creates a concentration
gradient, with concentration of carbon dioxide gradually decreasing with
distance from the lump of dry ice.
With increase in temperature, the kinetic energy of all particles in the system
increases. This increases the rate at which solute and solvent molecules
move, and increases collisions. This means that the dry ice (or even regular
ice) will evaporate faster on a warmer day, simply because each molecule is
moving with greater energy and is more likely to quickly escape the confines
of a solid state.
Area of interaction
To extend the example given above, if the block of dry ice is broken into
multiple pieces, the area that interacts with the atmosphere immediately
increases. The number of molecules that only collide with other carbon
dioxide particles within dry ice decreases. Therefore, the rate of diffusion of
the gas into air also increases.
This property can be observed even better if the gas has an odor or color. For
instance, when iodine is sublimated over a hot stove, purple fumes begin to
appear and mix with air. If sublimation is carried out in a narrow crucible, the
fumes diffuse slowly out towards the mouth of the container and then rapidly
disappear. While they are confined to the smaller surface area within the
crucible, the rate of diffusion remains low.
This is also seen when two liquid reactants are mixed with one another.
Stirring increases the area of interaction between the two chemicals and
allows these molecules to diffuse towards each other more quickly. The
reaction proceeds towards completion at a faster rate. On a similar note, any
solute that is broken into small pieces and stirred into the solvent dissolves
rapidly – another indicator of molecules diffusing better when the area of
interaction increases.
Steepness of the Concentration Gradient
Since diffusion is powered primarily by the probability of molecules moving

away from a region of higher saturation, it immediately follows that when the
medium (or solvent) has a very low concentration of the solute, the probability
of a molecule diffusing away from the central area is higher. For instance, in
the example about the diffusion of iodine gas, if the crucible is placed in
another closed container and iodine crystals are heated for an extended
period of time, the rate at which the purple gas seems to ‘disappear’ at the
mouth of the crucible will reduce. This apparent slowing down is due to the
fact that, over time, the larger container begins to have enough iodine gas that
some of it will be moving ‘backwards’ towards the crucible. Even though this is
random non-directed movement, with a large bulk, it can create a scenario
where there is no net movement of gas from the container.
Particle Size
At any given temperature, the diffusion of a smaller particle will be more rapid
than that of a larger-sized molecule. This is related to both the mass of the
molecule and its surface area. A heavier molecule with a larger surface area
will diffuse slowly, while smaller, lighter particles will diffuse more quickly. For
example, while oxygen gas will diffuse slightly more quickly than carbon
dioxide, both of them will move more quickly than iodine gas.
Functions of Diffusion
Diffusion in the human body is necessary for the absorption of digested
nutrients, gas exchange, the propagation of nerve impulses, the movement of
hormones and other metabolites towards their target organ and for nearly
every event in embryonic development.
Types of Diffusion
Diffusion can either be simple diffusion and be facilitated by another molecule
Simple Diffusion
Simple diffusion is merely the movement of molecules along their

concentration gradient without the direct involvement of any other molecules.
It can involve either the spreading of a material through a medium or the
transport of a particle across a membrane. All the examples given above were
instances of simple diffusion.
The image is a simple representation of the diffusion of one particle in another
medium.
Simple diffusion is relevant in chemical reactions, in many physical

phenomena, and can even influence global weather patterns and geological
events. In most biological systems, diffusion occurs across a semi-permeable
membrane made of a lipid bilayer. The membrane has pores and openings to
allow the passage of specific molecules.
Facilitated Diffusion
On the other hand, facilitated diffusion, as the term indicates, requires the
presence of another molecule (the facilitator) in order for diffusion to occur.
Facilitated diffusion is necessary for the movement of large or polar molecules
across the hydrophobic lipid bilayer. Facilitated diffusion is necessary for the
biochemical processes of every cell since there is communication between
various subcellular organelles. As an example, while gases and small
molecules like methane or water can diffuse freely across a plasma membrane,
larger charged molecules like carbohydrates or nucleic acids need the help of
transmembrane proteins forming pores or channels.
The image shows the movement of an insoluble molecule from the

extracellular space towards the cytoplasm.
Since they are relatively large openings in the plasma membrane, these
integral membrane proteins also have high specificity. For instance, the
channel protein that transports potassium ions has a much higher affinity for
that ion than a very similar sodium ion, with nearly the same size and charge.
Related Biology Terms

 Concentration Gradient – Gradual decrease in the concentration of a substance, often a
solute in a solution. Within living systems, this gradient is usually seen on two sides of a
semi-permeable lipid membrane.
 Hepatocytes – Cells in the inner parenchymal region of the liver, making up a large
proportion of liver mass. Involved in the digestion and metabolism of proteins, lipids and
carbohydrates. They also play a crucial role in the detoxification of the body.
 Integral Membrane Protein – Proteins that span the width of a membrane and are
important structural and functional parts of biological membranes.
 Sublimation – The conversion of a material in its solid phase directly into the gaseous
state, without an intervening transition into the liquid state.
Quiz
1. Which of these statements about diffusion of molecules is true?
A. Facilitated diffusion is powered entirely by GTP hydrolysis
B. Never needs the presence of any other molecule
C. Diffusion of every molecule is dependent on its concentration gradient and
independent of the concentration of other molecular species in the medium
D. All of the above
Answer to Question #1
C is correct. The movement of one molecule along its concentration gradient is unaffected by the concentration
gradients of any other substances in the same medium.
2. If there was a coolant near the mouth of a crucible heating iodine how would
that affect its rate of diffusion?
A. Would remain unchanged
B. Increase
C. Decrease
D. It would depend on the nature and temperature of the coolant
C is correct. The presence of a coolant at the mouth of the crucible would lower the temperature of iodine gas. This
would reduce the rate of diffusion.
3. Which of these statements is NOT true?

A. Large polar molecules cannot diffuse across a biological membrane
B. Carbon dioxide would diffuse faster than bromine gas
C. Integral membrane proteins that facilitate diffusion are highly specific about
their cargo
D. All of the above
A is correct. Polar molecules can diffuse across membranes, but they need the presence of a
transmembrane channel or protein. Carbon dioxide is lighter than bromine and therefore would diffuse
more quickly.

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Diffusion Definition

Diffusion is a physical process that refers to the net movement of molecules

One of the main characteristics of diffusion is the movement of molecules

For example, oxygen is at a higher concentration inside arteries and

In chemical processes, diffusion is often the central principle driving many

Factors that Affect Diffusion

Steepness of the Concentration Gradient

Since diffusion is powered primarily by the probability of molecules moving

Simple diffusion is merely the movement of molecules along their

Simple diffusion is relevant in chemical reactions, in many physical

The image shows the movement of an insoluble molecule from the

Related Biology Terms

3. Which of these statements is NOT true?

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