All things, living or non-living, are made up of atoms and molecules. These particles are constantly in motion, and this continuous motion allows for the delivery of molecules or diffusion. The overall net movement of these molecules will go from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration. Therefore, following a concentration gradient (Martini). The diffusion speed of these molecules, according to Fick's diffusion law, is directly proportional to the concentration gradient present. However, the concentration gradient is not static and will change over time and distance, thus changing the rate of diffusion. It is hypothesized that the two solutions under examination, Methylene Blue and Potassium Permanganate, begin their initial diffusion in the agar gel at a high speed, and then progressively regress in the allotted time of 1 hour. Another factor that will have an effect on the rate of diffusion is molecular size. There is a substantial difference in molecular weight between methylene blue (320 g/mol) and potassium permanganate (158 g/mol). The combined molecules present in potassium permanganate are lighter than those in methylene blue and therefore should allow it to diffuse more quickly. Activity 3: Investigate osmosis and diffusion through nonliving membranes. In this activity, through the use of dialysis bags and different concentrations of solutions, the movement of water and solutes across a semipermeable membrane will be observed. The gradients at which NaCl and glucose solutes diffuse are not proportional to any other molecule, so they will proceed along their own gradients. However, the same is not true for water, whose concentration gradient is influenced by the solute... half of the paper... depending on the patient's dehydration, thus also influencing the patient's tonicity. The patient would also lose water insensitively, inadvertently through the skin and lungs (Martini). This could be combative with the patient suffering from shortness of breath, in order to preserve the evaporation of some of the water. To maintain proper osmolarity, the intercellular fluid would lose water into the extracellular fluid. This patient would need to replenish lost fluids by drinking water or through intravenous administration of isotonic crystalloids. I would suggest an intravenous isotonic crystalloid as it would restore the body to homeostasis much more quickly than drinking. It is important to maintain fluid balance, membrane transport and general homeostasis, as the longer the body is out of the homeostatic range, the more harmful the effects will be..