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03 Movement of Substances
Diffusion
• Net movement of particles (atoms, ions or molecules) from a region of higher
concentration to a region of lower concentration
(down a concentration gradient)
A lump of sugar consists of many individual sugar molecules which are in constant motion.
When the lump of sugar is added into water, the sugar starts to dissolve. Individual sugar
molecules move from the region of higher concentration to the region of lower
concentration by diffusion. The sugar molecules will become evenly spread out after some
time, reaching dynamic equilibrium. Diffusion stops while particles are still in constant
motion. The rate of diffusion can be affected by temperature, size of molecule, steepness of
concentration gradient.

Factors affecting diffusion

- Temperature
 Higher temperature so the particles possess grater kinetic energy which results in
faster diffusion.
- Molecular weight/size of particle
 Particles with smaller molecular weight move faster which results in faster rate
of diffusion.
- Concentration gradient
 Concentration gradient refers to the difference in concentration between two
regions. The steeper the concentration gradient, the faster the rate of diffusion.

Concentration
/ units
Down a concentration
gradient

Distance/ units
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Diffusion can occur with/without membrane. However if particles that are bigger than the
pore size of the membrane will not be able to diffuse through

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What is osmosis?

• Net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of
lower water potential (down a water potential gradient) through a partially permeable
membrane

(Osmosis is used to describe liquid water molecule movement only)

What is water potential?

• A measure of the tendency of water molecules to move from one place to another
• A dilute solution has a higher water potential than a concentrated solution.
- Pure water has 0 water potential
- Water with solutes has a negative water potential

For example,
• What happens to a cell in a solution with the same water potential?

• No net movement of water molecules by osmosis. Cells do not change shape or size.

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For example,
• What happens to a cell in a solution with higher water potential?

Plant cell Animal cell

• Net movement of water molecules
• From a region of higher water potential
(solution)
• To a region of lower water potential
(plant cell)
• Down a water potential gradient
• Through a partially permeable
membrane (cell surface membrane)
• By osmosis
• Net movement of water molecules
• From a region of higher water potential
(solution)
• To a region of lower water potential
(animal cell)
• Down a water potential gradient
• Through a partially permeable
membrane (cell surface membrane)
• By osmosis

• Vacuole increases in size • Animal cell swells and burst

• And pushes the protoplasm against the
cell wall.
• Plant cell expands and does not burst
• Due to the presence of the inelastic cell
wall.
• The pressure exerted by the water in the
vacuole on the cell wall is turgor
pressure.
• Plant cell is said to be turgid.

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Importance of turgor pressure

• Allows young stems and most leaves to remain firm and erect when plant cells are
turgid. When there is a high rate of water loss from the cells, the plant cells lose their
turgidity and the plant wilts.

• Allows opening of stomata. When guard cells are flaccid, the stomata close.
• What happens to a cell in a solution with lower water potential?

Plant cell Animal cell

• Net movement of water molecules
• From a region of higher water potential
(plant cell)
• To a region of lower water potential
(solution)
• Down a water potential gradient
• Through a partially permeable
membrane (cell surface membrane)
• Net movement of water molecules
• From a region of higher water potential
(animal cell)
• To a region of lower water potential
(solution)
• Down a water potential gradient
• Through a partially permeable
membrane (cell surface membrane)

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• By osmosis • By osmosis

• Vacuole decreases in size. • Animal cell shrinks and crenates.

• Cell becomes flaccid.
• Cytoplasm shrinks away from cell wall.
• Shrinkage of cytoplasm and cell surface
membrane away from cell wall is called
plasmolysis.
• Cell is plasmolysed.

• Plasmolysed plant cell can be restored to original state by placing it in water or in a

solution with higher water potential.

What is active transport?

• Net movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher
concentration against a concentration gradient,

• Energy is required
• Takes place in living cells as only living cells undergo respiration which releases energy
• For active transport to occur against a steeper concentration gradient, more energy is
needed.
• Need partially permeable membrane as the process can only happen in living things

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Surface Area to Volume Ratio

The larger the surface area to volume ratio, the faster the rate of movement of particles into

the cell.

Cube 1 2 3
Surface area 6 24 54
Volume 1 8 27
Surface area : volume 6:1 3:1 2:1

• Therefore, cells especially the actively growing ones, are usually very small.

Secondary Three Biology – Crescent Girls’ School

Movement of Substances