INVESTING DIFFUSION THROUGH LIVING MEMBRANES
Introduction
Cells are living membranes. They are the basic unit of life. They are very unique in that they have the capability of carrying out a large number of chemical reactions in the body, ability to respond to stimuli, capable of producing more of themselves, they have a genetic program and the means to use it, they acquire energy and utilize it, all in the process of the functioning of the human body,
The life of a cell is also dependent on its ability to move substances to the inside and to the outside. Substances such as sugars and oxygen needed for energy and other cellular activities must enter the cells. In addition waste material such as carbon dioxide and ammonia must be removed …show more content…
Osmosis can pull water out of the cell if the cell is placed in an environment with a higher solute concentration.
3. Osmosis can pull water into the cell if the cell is placed in an environment with a lower solute concentration.
Explanation
The experiment revealed that when a cell is placed in a solution that contains the same solute/water concentration as in the cell itself, there is no change in the appearance of the cell. This can be explained by the fact that water moves equally in and out the cell, the solution in the cell and outside the cell are the same and is said to be in equilibrium. There is no net gain or loss of water from the cells. The .9% Nacl solution outside the cell is isotonic to the sheep's blood cell.
In the case where the cells were place in a 10% NaCl solution, the smooth disc like shape of the cell disappeared and displays a shrunken appearance. This can be explained by the fact the 10% Nacl solution is hypertonic to the sheep's red blood cells. It contains more salt and less water than the cells of the sheep's blood would have. A concentration gradient being present, water leaves the cell to the surrounding environment from the area of high concentration to the area outside the cell where the concentration is
Introduction
Cells are living membranes. They are the basic unit of life. They are very unique in that they have the capability of carrying out a large number of chemical reactions in the body, ability to respond to stimuli, capable of producing more of themselves, they have a genetic program and the means to use it, they acquire energy and utilize it, all in the process of the functioning of the human body,
The life of a cell is also dependent on its ability to move substances to the inside and to the outside. Substances such as sugars and oxygen needed for energy and other cellular activities must enter the cells. In addition waste material such as carbon dioxide and ammonia must be removed …show more content…
Osmosis can pull water out of the cell if the cell is placed in an environment with a higher solute concentration.
3. Osmosis can pull water into the cell if the cell is placed in an environment with a lower solute concentration.
Explanation
The experiment revealed that when a cell is placed in a solution that contains the same solute/water concentration as in the cell itself, there is no change in the appearance of the cell. This can be explained by the fact that water moves equally in and out the cell, the solution in the cell and outside the cell are the same and is said to be in equilibrium. There is no net gain or loss of water from the cells. The .9% Nacl solution outside the cell is isotonic to the sheep's blood cell.
In the case where the cells were place in a 10% NaCl solution, the smooth disc like shape of the cell disappeared and displays a shrunken appearance. This can be explained by the fact the 10% Nacl solution is hypertonic to the sheep's red blood cells. It contains more salt and less water than the cells of the sheep's blood would have. A concentration gradient being present, water leaves the cell to the surrounding environment from the area of high concentration to the area outside the cell where the concentration is