Importance of Diffusion
1. Respiration – Diffuses through ATP synthase channels
a. Production of ATP
2. Digestion
3. Photosynthesis – Diffusion of CO2 into the stomata – allows for the
production of RuBP – if this were not to happen then the Calvin Cycle would
not process and thus we would not get the organic substances produced that
are so vital to growth in plants
4. Breathing – Diffusion of O2 from the fluid lining of the alveoli into the lungs
a. Means that O2 can bind with haemoglobin and travel to muscles so that
they can respire aerobically and thus don’t build up lactate
5. Immunity – White blood cells are able to diffuse through cell walls so that they
can reach pathogens
6. Tissue fluid – means that the components of tissue fluid can diffuse across
the cell wall into the capillaries and be excreted from the body
7. Translocation – diffusion of water out of the stomata – results in pull of water
up the xylem
8. ]Action potential – Na and K diffuses in and out of the axon down its
electrochemical gradient
9. Muscle contraction – the Ca2+ stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum diffuses
into the sarcoplasm – binds with tropomyosin and allows muscle contraction
of skeletal muscles to take place – vital as it enables movement
a. Calcium ions also activate ATPase which is needed for the movement
of the bulbous heads
Immune response Tissue Fluid Digestion Action Potential Extracellular
digestion Inorganic ions in plants Photosynthesis
1. Respiration – Diffuses through ATP synthase channels
a. Production of ATP
2. Digestion
3. Photosynthesis – Diffusion of CO2 into the stomata – allows for the
production of RuBP – if this were not to happen then the Calvin Cycle would
not process and thus we would not get the organic substances produced that
are so vital to growth in plants
4. Breathing – Diffusion of O2 from the fluid lining of the alveoli into the lungs
a. Means that O2 can bind with haemoglobin and travel to muscles so that
they can respire aerobically and thus don’t build up lactate
5. Immunity – White blood cells are able to diffuse through cell walls so that they
can reach pathogens
6. Tissue fluid – means that the components of tissue fluid can diffuse across
the cell wall into the capillaries and be excreted from the body
7. Translocation – diffusion of water out of the stomata – results in pull of water
up the xylem
8. ]Action potential – Na and K diffuses in and out of the axon down its
electrochemical gradient
9. Muscle contraction – the Ca2+ stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum diffuses
into the sarcoplasm – binds with tropomyosin and allows muscle contraction
of skeletal muscles to take place – vital as it enables movement
a. Calcium ions also activate ATPase which is needed for the movement
of the bulbous heads
Immune response Tissue Fluid Digestion Action Potential Extracellular
digestion Inorganic ions in plants Photosynthesis
