Factors affecting the rate of diffusion

What are the factors affecting the rate of diffusion

Surface area

Distance

Concentration gradient

Temperature

Size of the particles

Type of particles

How does surface area affect the rate of diffusion

The larger the surface area over which diffusion can take place, the faster the rate of diffusion.

How does distance affect the rate of diffusion

The greater the distance the longer the particles take to move randomly down the concentration gradient and the slower the rate of diffusion.

How does the concentration gradient affect the rate of diffusion

The greater the difference in concentration between the two sides of the membrane (the steeper the concentration gradient), the faster the rate of diffusion.

How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion

The higher the temperature, the more kinetic energy the particles have, so they move faster and the faster the rate of diffusion.

How does the size of the particles affect the rate of diffusion

Larger molecules move more slowly and do not fit as easily between the phospholipids, so the slower the rate of diffusion.

How does the type of particle affect the rate of diffusion

Large, polar or charged molecules and ions require a transport protein to cross the membrane. Therefore the more transport proteins in the membrane the faster the rate of diffusion.

Why does the rate of uptake plateau when increasing the concentration gradient for facilitated diffusion

The number of transport proteins becomes limiting.