How does the intensity of facilitated diffusion vary in relation to the concentration of the moved substance? What is the limiting factor?

Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap Course List)
9th Edition
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Lauralee Sherwood
Chapter3: The Plasma Membrane And Membrane Potential
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How does the intensity of facilitated diffusion vary in relation to the concentration of the moved substance? What is the limiting factor?

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Facilitated diffusion is a passive movement of substances through membrane proteins. The process is passive as it does not require an input of energy for transport of substances. 

 

 

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facilitated diffusion of substances occurs from the region of their higher concentration to that of the lower concentration. Therefore, the concentration gradient of the substances regulates the rate of facilitated diffusion. The steep the concentration gradient of a substance across the membrane, the higher will be the rate of its facilitated diffusion. This is because the driving force for diffusion of substances is different in their concentration on either side of the membrane. 

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