The Notion of Diffusion

Getting started with the nature of molecules and the way they work in a body, you should be aware of the main terms in the sphere. Here are the ones you need to be familiar with:

• Solvent is a substance that is able to dissolve liquid. The solvent can be not only a fluid, but also it may be a solid or a gas.
• Solute is a homogenous mixture that is dissolved in the solvent.
• Hypotonic solution is a type of solution that is less solute and has a bigger amount of water in it.
• Hypertonic solution is the solution with the bigger concentration of dissolved substance than of the solvent.
• Isotonic solution is the solution with the same concentration of solutes both inside and outside a cell.

These terms are a skeleton that will make it easier to uncover the topic. Going further, we will deepen our knowledge of it. There is a number of elements that are vital for the functioning of a cell. Therefore, these components should be sometimes present inside a cell and for all time outside of it. Such a division appears due to the existence of a semi-permeable membrane that is on the guard of the entrance allowing or not particular molecules in. So, when there eventuates an exchange of materials located in and out of the cell, diffusion emerges. Diffusion can be defined as a process in the course of which molecules move from the areas of high concentration to the ones with lower.

While diffusion is processed, the liquid remains unchanged, and there are many molecules that left in the area of a high concentration. As a consequence, there is a set of molecules moving with an aim to establish the balance of concentration outside and inside the cell. This unregulated motion obeys the second law of thermodynamics and expands the entropy of the whole system.

In fact, diffusion is crucial for molecules that build up the cell. Scientists differentiate several types of diffusion:

1. Simple diffusion. When this type of diffusion occurs, it all happens only by the movement of molecules from higher to lower concentration.
2. Facilitated diffusion.  When it happens that a simple diffusion doesn’t work for some substances, protein channels come into action. It is the only thing that differs these two kinds of diffusion.

It is impossible to disapprove the fact that there is a movement of molecules and it needs some proper consumption of energy. However, diffusion, as a process itself, does not require energy expense. During an unobstructed motion, molecules follow the concentration gradient until the equity is reached.

To conclude, a living of cell is provided with the existence and endless motion of molecules that head for the balance on both sides of it. In general, molecules get around from high to low concentration, but the energy is only required in the opposite movement.

This topic has lightened a sparkle of interest in many scientists related to the sphere of chemistry and biology. It is necessary for students to learn this basic terminology, which is used when these subjects are studied at school or college.