Understanding Diffusion
Think of diffusion as nature's way of mixing things up. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from areas where there's loads of them to areas where there's fewer - basically from high concentration to low concentration.
The clever bit is that whilst particles move in all directions, there's always a net movement from the crowded area to the less crowded one. It's like people spreading out at a party - they naturally move from the packed kitchen to the emptier living room.
Several factors speed up or slow down this process. A steeper concentration gradient (bigger difference between high and low areas) means faster diffusion. Higher temperature gives particles more energy to move about quickly. Plus, having a larger surface area means more space for molecules to cross through.
Quick Tip: Remember that diffusion happens naturally - no energy required from the cell!
