Concentration gradient
![concentration gradient concentration gradient](http://www.scienceprofonline.com/publishImages/chemistry~what-is-a-concentration-gradient~~element143.gif)
Just like solutes are attracted to water, water is attracted to solutes. Osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane and essentially does the same thing. It should also be noted that when a concentration gradient cannot be relieved through the diffusion of the solvent, osmosis may occur. So, this energy can be utilized to accomplish tasks. In fact, there is energy stored in a concentration gradient because the molecules want to reach equilibrium. Concentration gradients are used by many cells to complete a wide variety of tasks. However, living things have found many ways to use their properties to accomplish important life functions. Function of Concentration GradientsĬoncentration gradients are a natural consequence of the laws of physics.
![concentration gradient concentration gradient](https://researchpad.co/dataresources/articles/255/168380/assets/sb0c00604_0002.jpg)
But over time, the colored particles will spread, creating an equal distribution of colored particles throughout the bottom of the glass. At first, the food coloring will only occupy the small spot in the water glass where it was added. This can be easily demonstrated at home by adding a drop of food coloring to a glass of water. A concentration gradient is relieved through diffusion Water atoms like to completely surround each ion or polar molecule, which pulls them throughout a solution and separates them from one another. The laws of thermodynamics state that due to the constant movements of atoms and molecules, substances will move from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration, in order to produce a randomly distributed solution. So, the concentration gradient above would eventually disappear as the ions of salt diffused throughout the entire tank. Over time, solutes always move down their concentration gradient to “try” to produce an equal concentration throughout the whole solution.