The molecules diffuse and move both ways but the net movement will be towards the area of lower concentration. The concentration gradient is described as the path from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Particles in diffusion diffuse down a concentration gradient in a passive process, meaning that no energy is required for it to happen. Facilitated diffusion uses both carrier proteins and channel proteins to diffuse particles in and out of a cell. Larger molecules such as amino and glucose cannot diffuse directly through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane, so they diffuse through either carrier proteins or channel proteins. Similar to diffusion, facilitated diffusion also moves particles down a concentration gradient, from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This process is also passive so it does not require energy.
Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane, from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. The water molecules will diffuse both ways through the membrane, but the net movement will be towards the side with the lower concentration of water …show more content…
This tissue is specialised so that it can form a lining for all internal and external body surfaces. The epithelial cells are packed very tightly together with almost no intercellular space in between them. This tissue is also known to be avascular, meaning that it has no blood vessels and so nutrients and waste exchange only occurs through diffusion with neighbouring connective tissues. There are many functions that epithelial tissues carry out. The first being protection, epithelial cells in the skin help protect the underlying tissue from injuries; harmful chemicals and even invading bacteria. The second being secretion, in glands, the epithelial tissue is specialised to secrete specific chemical substances such as hormones, enzymes and other lubricating fluids. The third function is absorption, this is where certain linings of the epithelial cells in the small intestine absorb nutrients from the digestion of food. The fourth is excretion, this is where the epithelial tissues in the kidney excrete waste products from within the body and reabsorb the required material from the urine. The epithelial cells in the sweat glands also aid in the excretion of sweat from the body. The last is sensation, this is when sensory stimuli penetrate the specialised epithelial cells, and these specialised epithelial tissues are found in the skin, eyes, ears,