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Biochemists have discovered more than 400 mutant varieties of hemoglobin, the bl

ID: 518998 • Letter: B

Question

Biochemists have discovered more than 400 mutant varieties of hemoglobin, the blood protein that carries O_2. A sample 45.22 mg of the protein was dissolved in water at 15.0 degree C to make 2.46 mL of solution. This blood protein has a molar mass of 7.02 times 10^4 g/mol. What is the osmotic pressure? What is osmosis? Why the osmotic pressure occurs? Gram of the protein: Molar mass of the protein: 7.02 times 10^4 g/mol Ideal gas constant, R: Moles of the protein: Liters of solution 2.46 mL. Absolute temperature: (convert degree C to Kelvin) Osmotic pressure in atm: IT-MRT Osmotic pressure in Torr

Explanation / Answer

1) Osmosis is the process of movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a solution of lower concentration to a solution of higher concentration.

2) Osmotic pressure occurs when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane. This pressure causes the solvent molecules to move from the solution of lower concentration to the solution of higher concentration.

3) Grams of protein = 45.22 mg

4) Molar mass of protein = 7.02 x 104 g/mol

5) Ideal gas constant, R = 0.08206 atm L/mol K

6) Moles of protein = Mass of protein / Molar mass of protein

= (45.22 x 10-3 ) / ( 7.02 x 104)

= 6.441 x 10-7 mol

7) Litres of solution = 2.46 mL

8) Absolute temperature = 15oC = 15 + 273 = 288 K

9) Osmotic pressure in atm = MRT

Where M = Number of moles / Volume

= 6.441 x 10-7 / 2.46 x 10-3

= 2.618 x 10-4 mol/L

Therefore, osmotic pressure = 2.618 x 10-4 * 0.08206 * 288

= 6.187 x 10-3 atm

10) Osmotic pressure in torr:

1 atm = 760 torr

Therefore 6.187 x 10-3 x 760 = 4.702 torr