According to Fick's law, the rate of diffusion of any substance across any barrier is<u> directly proportional to the surface area of the membrane or any layer exposed. and the concentration of the diffusing substance available, but the rate is inversely proportional to the diffusion distance available.</u>
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Thus the rate at which oxygen will move across the phospholipid bilayer will depend on the concentration or amount per mole of the oxygen molecule hitting the phopholipid at a prticular time and how permeable the phospholipd layer is to oxygen molecules, but the rate of its movement across will be reduced as the distance between the phosphoslipid bilayer and the diffusing molecules increases.
Therefore, the concentration of oxygen should be maximised, the surface area of the phospholipid bilayer should also be maximized. the distances between the phopholipid and the vessel containing the diffusing oxygen molecules should be drastically reduced. With this Fick's law has been applied , and therefore maximum oxygen molecules can diffuse across.
The biology theme wherein the example given above represents the concept of homeostatic equilibrium. Homeostatic equilibrium or otherwise known as homeostasis is clearly depicted in the situation because it cites on how the stomatas regulate the gases on the plant leaf in order to maintain stability.
Based on the given scenario above, both the plants Lupine and the Gopher have survived on Mount St. Helen's. This has become possible because both of these plants aid in improving soil quality. The gopher is responsible in adding organic matter and also introduces air to the soil. On the other hand, the lupine is responsible in fixing nitrogen and adds organic matter. Answer is D.