Question

In your own words, describe three different cellular situations that would increase the rate of diffusion, across a cell membrane, of a molecule that moves only through ligand-gated channels. Describe one cellular situation that would decrease the rate of diffusion of this same molecule. Assume all aspects of the cell are functioning normally.

Answer 1

Diffusion is the process of movement of molecules on their own along a concentration gradient, that is, from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until and equilibrium concentration if reached on both the sides.

Factors affecting diffusion are -

Temperature, higher the temperature, higher is the velocity of movement of molecules and therefore higher is the rate of diffusion.

Concentration gradient, steeper the concentration gradient, higher in the rate of diffusion.

Size of molecules, smaller the size of molecule, faster is the rate of diffusion.

A situation which would decrease the rate of diffusion of any molecule is the high concentration of that molecule inside the cell. If the concentration of a given molecule is higher inside the cell, then the rate of diffusion will be slow and in fact the molecule will move outside the cell.

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