How can you tell they’ve got it: How Diffusion Works?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Defines diffusion using particle theory; Explains the direction of diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the alveoli; Explains how cells get glucose from the blood using diffusion; Identifies factors that affect the rate of diffusion (concentration gradient, surface area, distance). Or just try it together: If your child was asked why oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood without the body needing to pump it, could they explain what diffusion is and why it always moves in one particular direction?

Science Organisms & Life Processes Ages 12–13

How Diffusion Works

Your child can explain why oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood by itself. Tiny bits spread from where there are many to where there are fewer, no pump needed.

In curriculum terms

Explain diffusion as the net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to lower concentration, and describe its role in moving materials (oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose) in and between cells

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Defines diffusion using particle theory
Explains the direction of diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the alveoli
Explains how cells get glucose from the blood using diffusion
Identifies factors that affect the rate of diffusion (concentration gradient, surface area, distance)

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Try this together

If your child was asked why oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood without the body needing to pump it, could they explain what diffusion is and why it always moves in one particular direction?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Parts of Plant and Animal Cellsages 11–12Diffusion in and between cells requires knowing about the cell membrane as a selectively permeable boundary

How Diffusion Worksthis skill · ages 12–13

Unlocks

Gas Exchange & Breathingages 12–13Gas exchange at the alveoli is driven by diffusion — the mechanism must be understood first

Aerobic Respirationages 12–13Glucose and oxygen enter cells by diffusion to fuel aerobic respiration

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Aerobic Respirationages 12–13 Anaerobic Respirationages 12–14 Body Temperature Regulationages 12–14 Gas Exchange & Breathingages 12–13

All Organisms & Life Processes skills →