What is the difference between concentration gradient and equilibrium

Molecules of substance are moving equally in both directions. Diffusion can be observed by placing potassium permanganate into a beaker of water. The crystals begin to diffuse into the water to give layers of different concentrations.

After one hour, equilibrium has been reached which means the potassium permanganate crystals are at an equal concentration throughout the water.

Diffusion has stopped. The first sugar solution is hypotonic to the second solution. The second sugar solution is hypertonic to the first. You now add the two solutions to a beaker that has been divided by a semipermeable membrane, with pores that are too small for the sugar molecules to pass through, but are big enough for the water molecules to pass through. The hypertonic solution is one one side of the membrane and the hypotonic solution on the other.

The hypertonic solution has a lower water concentration than the hypotonic solution, so a concentration gradient of water now exists across the membrane. Water molecules will move from the side of higher water concentration to the side of lower concentration until both solutions are isotonic. At this point, equilibrium is reached. Red blood cells behave the same way see figure below. When red blood cells are in a hypertonic higher concentration solution, water flows out of the cell faster than it comes in.

This results in crenation shriveling of the blood cell. On the other extreme, a red blood cell that is hypotonic lower concentration outside the cell will result in more water flowing into the cell than out. This results in swelling of the cell and potential hemolysis bursting of the cell. In an isotonic solution, the flow of water in and out of the cell is happening at the same rate.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower concentration solution i. Water moves into and out of cells by osmosis. A red blood cell will swell and undergo hemolysis burst when placed in a hypotonic solution. When placed in a hypertonic solution, a red blood cell will lose water and undergo crenation shrivel. Animal cells tend to do best in an isotonic environment, where the flow of water in and out of the cell is occurring at equal rates.

Passive transport is a way that small molecules or ions move across the cell membrane without input of energy by the cell. The three main kinds of passive transport are diffusion or simple diffusion , osmosis, and facilitated diffusion. Simple diffusion and osmosis do not involve transport proteins. Facilitated diffusion requires the assistance of proteins.

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration of the molecules to an area with a lower concentration. For cell transport, diffusion is the movement of small molecules across the cell membrane. The difference in the concentrations of the molecules in the two areas is called the concentration gradient.

The kinetic energy of the molecules results in random motion, causing diffusion. In simple diffusion, this process proceeds without the aid of a transport protein.

It is the random motion of the molecules that causes them to move from an area of high concentration to an area with a lower concentration. Diffusion will continue until the concentration gradient has been eliminated. Since diffusion moves materials from an area of higher concentration to the lower, it is described as moving solutes "down the concentration gradient". The end result is an equal concentration, or equilibrium , of molecules on both sides of the membrane.

What is the relationship between diffusion and concentration gradient? Angela L. Oct 15, Explanation: When there is an unequal concentration gradient present in a space the particles will move from the areas of high concentration to the areas of low concentration until the concentration is even throughout the space. Related questions How does polarity of molecules affect diffusion? How does diffusion differ from endocytosis and exocytosis? How does diffusion affect homeostasis?

How are diffusion and osmosis different?