Final answer:
The claim that net flux refers to concentrations and the ability of substances to pass through membranes is false. Net flux actually represents the movement of substances due to a concentration gradient, and it is essential to processes like passive transport, such as diffusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that net flux refers to the concentration of substances produced and their ability to pass through barriers, like cell membranes, is false. Net flux is a term that describes the movement of substances across a barrier, such as a cell membrane, and is influenced by a concentration gradient, which is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas. Passive transport, including diffusion, is a process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for cellular energy. This natural phenomenon leads to a net movement of substances until equilibrium is reached.The formula Flux = (driving force * surface area) / resistance indicates that flux is influenced by the driving force (concentration gradient), surface area of the membrane, and its resistance (membrane permeability) to the substance.
For example, oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) can diffuse through the lipid bilayer of cell membranes because of differences in their concentration inside and outside the cell, utilizing passive transport without consuming energy.Net flux refers to the movement of substances across barriers, such as cell membranes, down their concentration gradient. It is synonymous with the amount of substances that pass through the barrier. Net flux occurs through passive transport, specifically diffusion, where substances move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. This process does not require energy from the cell.