Final answer:
Increasing lipid solubility leads to a faster rate of net diffusion as lipid-soluble materials can more easily pass through the plasma membrane. Factors such as concentration gradients and temperature also impact diffusion rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you increase lipid solubility, the effect on the rate of net diffusion is that diffusion occurs more rapidly. This is because lipid-soluble materials can pass through plasma membranes with less resistance compared to polar substances. The plasma membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer, which naturally has higher permeability to nonpolar, lipid-soluble molecules.
The net rate of diffusion is also affected by factors such as the concentration gradient, surface area, and plasma membrane thickness. Considering the concentration gradient, molecules diffuse from regions of high concentration to regions of low concentration; if the lipid solubility is high, this process is expedited. Increased surface area facilitates a higher rate of diffusion, while a thicker membrane can impede it.
Additionally, environmental factors like temperature and solvent density affect diffusion. Higher temperatures can increase molecular movement and diffusion rates, whereas increased solvent density tends to slow down the diffusion process.