Medium2 marksStructured
OrganisationFoundationDiffusionRate of Diffusion

AQA GCSE · Question 06.4 · Organisation

Suggest two factors that affect the rate of diffusion of oxygen into a jellyfish.

How to approach this question

Recall the factors that influence the rate of diffusion. Think about what would make particles move from one place to another more quickly. Consider the concentration of the substance, the temperature, and the physical properties of the exchange surface.

Full Answer

1. Concentration gradient (difference in oxygen concentration inside and outside the jellyfish). 2. Surface area of the jellyfish. 3. Temperature of the water.
The rate of diffusion is determined by several factors: 1. **The concentration gradient:** The difference in concentration between two areas. A steeper gradient (a bigger difference) results in a faster rate of diffusion. For the jellyfish, this would be the difference between the oxygen concentration in the seawater and inside its cells. 2. **The temperature:** Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of particles, causing them to move faster. This leads to a faster rate of diffusion. 3. **The surface area of the membrane:** A larger surface area provides more space for diffusion to occur, increasing the overall rate. 4. **The diffusion distance:** A shorter distance for particles to travel results in a faster rate of diffusion. Jellyfish are only a few cells thick, providing a short diffusion pathway.

Common mistakes

✗ Naming factors that affect active transport but not diffusion, like the availability of ATP.\n✗ Giving vague answers like "amount of oxygen" instead of "concentration gradient".

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