In: Biology
1. Which of the following factors would decrease the rate of diffusion? (Select all that apply)
Check All That Apply
increased molecular weightincreased molecular weight
decreased molecular sizedecreased molecular size
larger concentration gradientlarger concentration gradient
denser mediadenser media
smaller concentration gradient
2.
Which of the following factors would increase the rate of diffusion? (Select all that apply)
Check All That Apply
increased molecular weightincreased molecular weight
decreased molecular sizedecreased molecular size
larger concentration gradientlarger concentration gradient
denser mediadenser media
thinner mediathinner media
Question 1-
The factors, reducing the rate of diffusion, are-
A. Increased molecular weight.
Explanation - Diffusion is the phenomenon where the solute molecules move from a high concentration to lower concentration. At the end of diffusion, solute concentration is equal in all parts of the solvent. The movement of the solute molecules in the solvent is called Brownian motion. The Brownian motion will decrease if the molecular weight of the solute increase. Heavier molecules need more time to travel a certain distance, compared to the lighter molecules. As a result, the rate of diffusion will decrease.
B. Denser media.
Explanation - The speed of Brownian motion will decrease if the concentration of the solvent increases. In denser media, the number of molecules per unit area is higher compared to the thinner media. So in denser media, each solute molecule collides with more number of solvent molecules while moving. As a result, the speed of Brownian motion is decreased and the rate of diffusion decreases.
C. Smaller concentration gradient.
Explanation - The concentration gradient is less, this means more number of solute molecules are present in the part with less solute concentration compared to the part with less solute concentration in case of the higher concentration gradient. So, each solute molecule collides with more number of solute molecules while moving to the part with less solute concentration. As a result, the rate of diffusion decreases.
[Decreased molecular size increases the rate of diffusion. If the size of a solute molecule decreases, its surface area will also decrease. As a result, it will come in contact with less number of solvent molecules, i.e., it will collide with less number of solvent molecules. So, the speed of Brownian motion will increase and the rate of diffusion will increase. Hence this option is false.]
Question 2 -
The factors, increasing the rate of diffusion, are -
A. Decreased molecular size.
Explanation - Decreased molecular size increases the rate of diffusion. If the size of a solute molecule decreases, its surface area will also decrease. As a result, it will come in contact with less number of solvent molecules, i.e., it will collide with less number of solvent molecules. So, the speed of Brownian motion will increase and the rate of diffusion will increase.
B. Larger concentration gradient.
Explanation - The concentration gradient is large, this means less number of solute molecules are present in the part with less solute concentration compared to the part with less solute concentration in case of the lower concentration gradient. So, each solute molecule collides with less number of solute molecules while moving to the part with less solute concentration. As a result, the rate of diffusion increases.
C. Thinner media.
Explanation - The speed of Brownian motion will increase if the concentration of the solvent decreases. In thinner media, the number of molecules per unit area is less compared to the denser media. So in thinner media, each solute molecule collides with less number of solvent molecules while moving. As a result, the speed of Brownian motion is increased and the rate of diffusion increases.