Passive Transport - Facilitated diffusion

Driving forces

1.    Diffusion along a concentration gradient.

2.    Electrochemical gradient: A membrane potential is set up due to a voltage (potential difference) across the membrane.

Positive ions are encouraged to move in and negative ins are encouraged to move out.

The difference between diffusion and facilitated diffusion.

Diffusion may occur through any part of the plasma membrane, e.g. N₂ gas molecules.

Facilitated diffusion uses pores, e.g. glucose molecules

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© Paul Billiet 2004