Which of the following decreases the rate of diffusion of a substance through the plasma membrane
A)increasing the concentration gradient
B)increasing the molecular weight of the substance
C)increasing the permeability of the membrane
D)increasing the surface area of the membrane

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increasing the molecular weight of a substance will result in a decrease in its rate of diffusion through the plasma membrane. This is because larger molecules require more energy to move through the membrane and may also interact with the lipid bilayer or membrane proteins, slowing down the diffusion process. Increasing the concentration gradient, increasing the permeability of the membrane, and increasing the surface area of the membrane would all have the opposite effect and increase the rate of diffusion.

Which of the Following Decreases the Rate of Diffusion of a Substance