Question

When does diffusion of substances inside a cell occur?

Answer 1

Diffusion

1. The transfer of gases along a concentration gradient (from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration).
2. The movement is passive and slow.
3. Diffusion may be from one part of the cell to the other, cell to cell, or over short distances.
4. During diffusion, no expenditure of energy takes place and is independent of a living system.
5. Diffusion is crucial to plants since it is the only means of gaseous movement in or out of the plant body.

Occurrence of Diffusion

1. When the temperature of the surroundings increases, the kinetic energy of diffusing particles, hence the rate of diffusion, increases.
2. When a diffusion pressure gradient develops owing to the concentration of diffusing substances, the rate of diffusion increases.