Which of the following statements about diffusion is FALSE?

Question 39 options:

smaller surface area of the cell membrane increases the diffusion rate

small molecules travel much faster than larger molecules

a higher concentration gradient increase the diffusion rate

higher temperatures allow for molecules to move quickly across the cell membrane

Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until there is an even distribution. The rate at which diffusion occurs is dependent on certain factors as follows:

- Temperature: An increase in temperature increases the rate of diffusion because there is an increase in the kinetic energy of the molecules in response to temperature.

- Surface area of the cell: A cell with large surface area undergoes diffusion at a higher rate than a cell with small surface area.

- Concentration gradient: The difference in concentration of the molecule on each side of the membrane is the CONCENTRATION GRADIENT, which when increased also increases the rate of diffusion.

- Size of molecules: small molecules tend to travel faster than larger ones, hence, they diffuse faster.