Biology Flashcards
(9 cards)
Define the term diffusion.
Diffusion is the spreading out of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
What is a concentration gradient?
A concentration gradient is a difference in concentration between two regions.
Where does the energy for diffusion come from?
The energy for diffusion comes from the kinetic energy
Name an example of diffusion that takes place in the human lungs.
Examples of diffusion in the lungs include:
oxygen diffuses from the inhaled air into the blood through the alveolar lining
carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the exhaled air through the alveolar lining
What happens to the surface area to volume ratio as cell size increases?
The ratio of surface area to volume decreases
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration through a partially permeable membrane
Cell will become flaccid meaning?
the cell has shrunk/shrivelled up
What does the cell become when too much water enters it ?
It becomes turgid or swells up
What would happen if animal cells gained to much water?
The animal cell would swell up or become turgid and eventually burst
