UNIVERSIDAD DEL ROSARIO - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

BIOPHYSIC I - Problem set Diffusion

 If a normal systolic blood pressure in a given animal is about 136 mm Hg. Convert this to
atmospheres and Pascals.

 Fick’s first law of diffusion is:

A. Q = [nΠa2/ δ] ΔC
B. J = -D dC/dt
C. dC/dt = D d2C/dx2
D. J = -D dC/dx
E. D = kT / 6Πηa

 The intestinal enterocytes form a covering over the intestinal lining which, to the first
approximation, can be considered to be a plane. Assuming no binding or sequestration within the
cell, what is the estimated time of diffusion of Ca2+ across the intestinal enterocyte? The length of
the enterocyte is 35 μm and assume that the effective diffusion coefficient of Ca2+ is about 0.64 x
10-5 cm2s-1.

 For dialysis membranes the Lp was determined to be 6.34 x 10-7 cm min-1 mm Hg-1. A cylindrical
hole 1 cm in diameter was cut in two lexan pieces that were then bolted together with the membrane
between. Fluid entered one side through a pump and a pressure transducer was affixed. The flow
was adjusted until the pressure (above atmosphereic) was 20000 Pascals. The pressure on the
opposite side was atmospheric (zero). What was the flow through the membrane?

 The free diffusion coefficient of oxygen in aqueous solutions is about 2.4 x 10-5 cm2 s-1. If the
diffusion distance between air and blood is 0.35 μm, about how long is the diffusion time?

 When CL was 2.3 x 10-6M and CR was zero, the flux across a microporous membrane was found to
be 0.234 pmol cm-2s-1. The free diffusion coefficient of the material being measured was 0.8 x 10-5
cm2s-1.
a) What is the permeability of the membrane to the material?
b) If the thickness of the membrane is 10 x 10-6m, what is the equivalent relative area available
for diffusion of the material?

 Explain how an acoustic wave (5KHz) is transformed and perceived as a sound in humans (from a
mechanical wave to bio-electricity signal). Use a diagram to complete this item.
 Explain how one object illuminated by the sun (visible spectrum) is transformed and perceived as
an image in humans (from electromagnetic waves to bio-electricity signal). Use a diagram to
complete this item.

Bibliography
Feher, J. (2012), Quantitative Human Physiology: An Introduction. Publisher: Academic Press –
Elsevier.
Parisi, M. (2004), Temas de biofísica. McGraw-Hill Interamericana.