Plasma Membrane and Diffusion Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Plasma Membrane and Diffusion - Case Study Example Diffusion is a means of active transport which results from thermal, random movement of molecular particles from regions of high concentrations to regions of low concentrations(3). There are six factors which influence diffusions in fluids, these includes: Concentration gradient, size of the molecules involved, Distance travelled by the molecules, Temperature of the medium and the molecules, Solubility of the molecule and the surface area of the plasma membrane in which the molecule can carry out its activities, Hence the rate of diffusion is given by the ratio of the product of solubility, gradient, temperature, surface and the product of distance the molecules moves by the square root of the mass of the molecule. Diffusion can be classified into three categories or types, which include; simple diffusion, channel diffusion and facilitated diffusion(3).Simple diffusion occurs when micro or small non-polar molecular particles go through a fluid (liquid or gases) mostly liquids through a lipid bilayer. This diffusion type is characterized by hydrophobic molecules moving to hydrophobic regions without being rejected(3). Hydrophilic molecules do not participate in simple diffusion because they would be rejected when they move into the hydrophobic region of the membrane.Channel diffusion is a type of passive transport which involves channel proteins in which the molecule moves through an open, aqueous pore and it can be regulated. Charged particles and ions can pass through the pore (1).