How does facilitated diffusion differ from simple diffusion?

Answer 1

Channels are the difference

In the facilitated one, ions, for example, diffuse through specific channels. As an example, let's look at the membrane of a neuron; there are primarily potassium and sodium channels that allow the ions to diffuse; otherwise, they couldn't.

Substances simply diffuse through a membrane in simple diffusion, which does not involve any channels.

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Answer 2

Michael Adams

Facilitated diffusion differs from simple diffusion in that it involves the use of transport proteins to facilitate the movement of specific substances across a cell membrane. Simple diffusion, on the other hand, does not require transport proteins and involves the movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration directly through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.