Assume that a cell has: a) An initial volume of 5 nl (i think the nl is a typo?)

Question

Assume that a cell has:

a) An initial volume of 5 nl (i think the nl is a typo?)

b) Contains .5 M protein, and therefore has an osmolarity of .5 Osm

c) Protein, Na+ and Cl-cannot pass through the cell membrane

d) The cell membrane is semi-permeable, so water passes freely

A cell is placed in a very large volume of .2 M NaCl

1) What is the osmolarity of the NaCl solution?

2) Is the inside of the cell hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic, relative to the outside of the cell?

3) Will water move into, not change, or out of the cell?

4) After this occurs, what will the osmolarity inside the cell be?

5) For the inside of the cell: If C1 is the starting osmolarity, V1 is the starting volume, and C2 is the ending osmolarity, V2 is the ending volume. Use the equation C1V1=C2V2, to solve for V2, the final volume of the cell after being placed in the . M NaCl.

Explanation / Answer

Q1 Osmomolarity of NaCl solution = .2 Osm

Q2 Inside the cell is hypertonic as its concentration is more than NaCl solution.

Q3 Water will move inside the cell.

Q4 Concentration inside wil also become equal to NaCl solution.

Q5 .5 x5 = .2xV or V = 12.5 nl

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