The small molecule cyclic AMP (cAMP) takes about 0.2 second to diffuse 10 μm, on average, in a cell.Suppose that cAMP is produced near the plasma membrane on one end of the cell; how long will it take for this cAMP to diffuse through the cytosol and reach the opposite end of a very large cell, on average? Assume that the cell is 200 μm in diameter.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The time it takes for cAMP to diffuse through the cytosol is proportional to the square of the distance it has to travel. Therefore, it will take 100 times longer to travel 100 μm than it does to travel 10 μm. So, it will take 100 x 0.2 = 20 seconds to travel 100 μm.

The Small Molecule Cyclic AMP (CAMP) Takes About 0