Question

Describe two ways that decreasing temperature would affect the rate of diffusion of molecules across a cell’s plasma membrane.

Short answer

Two ways that decreasing temperature would affect the rate of diffusion of molecules across a cell’s plasma membrane

• Decreases the kinetic energy of the molecules in the plasma membrane.
• Increases the density of the plasma membrane

Step-by-step solution

Step1. Introduction   

Diffusion is a passive process of transport. A single substance moves from a high concentration to a low concentration area until the concentration is equal across a space.

• Factors That Affect Diffusion :- Molecules move constantly in a random manner, at a rate that depends on their mass, their environment, and the amount of thermal energy they possess, which in turn is a function of temperature.

Step2. Explanation  

A lower temperature means less energy in the molecules, so they will move at a slower speed.

• Lowering temperature also decreases the kinetic energy of the molecules in the plasma membrane, compressing them together.
• Thisincreases the density of the plasma membrane, which slows diffusion into the cell.