
A complete revision and exam practice pack for SB8b Factors Affecting Diffusion, covering the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (9–1) Separate Science specification for this topic (B8.4B, B8.5B).
This pack contains three components:
Topic Mastery Sheet (PDF) - a comprehensive reference covering the three factors in Fick’s law, concentration definitions and units, and how to interpret diffusion graphs. Fick’s law is presented as a proportionality statement: rate of diffusion ∝ (surface area × concentration difference) ÷ thickness of membrane. Each factor is described in terms of whether increasing it increases or decreases the rate of diffusion, using the terms directly proportional (surface area, concentration gradient) and inversely proportional (membrane thickness). Concentration is defined as the amount of a substance in a certain volume - the exact wording required by the Edexcel mark scheme, distinguishing it from “amount” (which has no volume component). A worked concentration calculation uses the figures from the Edexcel higher tier paper: 300 g of urea in 400 cm³ gives 300 ÷ 400 = 0.75 g cm⁻³. The graph interpretation section explains why diffusion rate decreases over time in a U-tube experiment - as urea diffuses through the membrane, the concentration gradient decreases, reducing the rate. The effect of doubling the concentration is explained: the graph starts at twice the height on the y-axis and follows the same curved shape. Biological applications of Fick’s law are given for both alveoli and intestinal villi.
Student Exam Practice Sheet (PDF + DOCX) - six exam-style questions. Q1 is the multiple choice question on the definition of concentration directly from the Edexcel mark scheme (answer: A, 1 mark). Q2 is the concentration calculation from the Edexcel higher tier paper (2 marks). Q3 asks students to state Fick’s law and describe how each factor affects diffusion rate (3 marks). Q4 asks students to use Fick’s law to explain why rate decreases over time (2 marks). Q5 asks students to explain how alveoli maximise each of the three factors in Fick’s law (3 marks). Q6 asks students to predict and describe how a graph would differ if the urea concentration were doubled, requiring both a starting point twice as high and the same curved shape (2 marks).
Teacher Answer Key (PDF + DOCX) - a full tick-point mark scheme. The Q1 answer is A. The Q2 answer is 0.75 g cm⁻³ with a note that two marks are awarded for a correct answer with no working shown. The Q6 mark scheme specifies that both features - starts at twice the height on the y-axis AND follows the same curved shape - are required for the two marks.
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