Expert: Walter Hintz - 10/24/2006

Question
How does the process of diffusion relate to biology and the cell membrane? Please help!! I don't understand this at all!!!

Answer
Hi Ashley
The cell membrane is the barrier between the cell contents and the outside environment.  The cell must carry out certain life functions by taking nutrient materials and gases into the cell and getting wastes out.  All these things must pass through the cell membrane.  Diffusion is the movement of material from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration. The cell membrane controls how this diffusion takes place