Question

If a molecule crosses a membrane and is quickly removed from the area by the blood stream or some biological pathway, what effect does this have on its rate of diffusion?

Answer 1

The rate of diffusion of a molecule is dependent only on its own concentration. It is unaffected by the concentration of other molecules. At equilibrium, solute molecules continue to diffuse across the membrane, but for each molecule moving across in one direction, another molecule of the same solute crosses in the other direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate of diffusion of a molecule is dependent only on its own concentration. It is unaffected by the concentration of other molecules. Over time, random motion of solutes within and across compartments results in a dynamic equilibrium for each different solute over time. At equilibrium, solute molecules continue to diffuse across the membrane, but for each molecule moving across in one direction, another molecule of the same solute crosses in the other direction.