Membrane Transport q2 N*

[Roxanita]

An experiment was conducted to study diffusion across the nerve cell membrane. Electrophysiologic measurements in several different nerve cells were conducted in response to the addition of several different particles.

Diffusion would most likely be increased by which of the following?

a) Decreased concentration Gradient
b) Decreased electrical Gradient
c) Decreased membrane surface area
d) Increased membrane thickness
e) Lipophilic particles

[Asclepius1]

Originally Posted by Roxanita

An experiment was conducted to study diffusion across the nerve cell membrane. Electrophysiologic measurements in several different nerve cells were conducted in response to the addition of several different particles.

Diffusion would most likely be increased by which of the following?

a) Decreased concentration Gradient
b) Decreased electrical Gradient
c) Decreased membrane surface area
d) Increased membrane thickness
e) Lipophilic particles

My educated guess is E.

[Roxanita]

membrane, you know your stuff

Diffusion Rate depends on many factors some will increase and others will decrease its rate.
Increase:
If Concentration Gradient or electrical gradient across the membrane increases
If Surface of the membrane increases
If Solubility in the mb or permeability increases

Decreases:
If Thicknes of the mb increases
Molecular weight does not affect that much



Ref. kaplan Physiology Notes. page 4. Membrane Transport.