Diffusion in the Body Flashcards

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What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the spreading out of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

What does a concentration gradient mean in diffusion?

A concentration gradient is the difference in concentration between two areas. Particles diffuse down this gradient.

Why is diffusion important for body cells?

Diffusion brings useful substances like oxygen and glucose into cells and removes wastes like carbon dioxide.

What happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide at the lungs by diffusion?

Oxygen diffuses from the air in the alveoli into the blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air.

How does oxygen get from the blood into body cells?

Oxygen diffuses from blood in capillaries, across the thin cell membrane, into body cells where its concentration is lower.

Name one waste substance that moves from body cells into the blood by diffusion.

Carbon dioxide moves by diffusion from body cells into the blood.

How does the thickness of a surface affect the rate of diffusion in the body?

Thinner surfaces make diffusion faster because particles have a shorter distance to travel.

How does surface area affect diffusion in the body?

A larger surface area allows more particles to diffuse at the same time, so diffusion happens faster.

Does diffusion need energy from respiration?

No. Diffusion is a passive process and does not use energy from respiration.

Why do humans need a circulatory system as well as diffusion?

Diffusion alone is too slow over large distances, so the circulatory system carries substances close to cells, where they can then diffuse.