Uncharged species can more easily diffuse through the hydrophobic cell membrane
ID: 927596 • Letter: U
Question
Uncharged species can more easily diffuse through the hydrophobic cell membrane than charged secie can. In aqueous solvent a protonated carboxylic aci RCOOH is in rapid eqilibrium with its anionic form RCOO-.
RCOOH<===> RCOO- + H+
A) What species, RCOOH or RCOO-, will have the same chemical potential inside and outside the cell? Why?
B) [RCOO-]i is the concentration of carboxylate ion inside the cells while [ RCOO-]o is the concentration of carboxylate ion outside the cells. The Hydrogen ion concentration is [H+]i inside the cells and [H+]o outside the cells. Find the ratio of the concentrations [RCOO-]/[RCOO-]o in terms of [H+]o and [H+]i.
The aim of th following procedure is to estimate the intermal pH in a cell. Following centrifgation, we can measure the final volume of cells from the volume of packed cells, and we can measure the volume of extracellular liquid from the volume of liquid above the cells. The final volume of cells is 1ml. The volume of liquid above the cells is 10ml. At pH's which are well above 5, the total amount of RCOO- in the liquid above the cells is 10-5 moles and the total amount of RCOO- in the cells if 10-5 moles.
C) what is the concentration fo RCOO- in the extracellular liquid.
D) what is the concentration of RCOO- in the cells.
E) if the measured pH of the extracellular liquid is 7, what is the internal pH of the cells?
Explanation / Answer
A) RCOOH as it is uncharged species and can move easily
B) [RCOO-]/[RCOO-]o= [H+]i / [H+]o
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