On the mass dependence of diffusion within biological membranes and polymers

Abstract

A simple probability argument suggests that the diffusion coefficient for biological membranes (and polymers) should vary exponentially with the reciprocal of the molecular weight of the diffusant. A test of this relationship shows that it fits the experimental data at least as well as the empirical relation previously proposed. Since the present treatment has some theoretical justification, it would seem to be preferred.