QQuestionBiology
QuestionBiology
Q^6. A SimCell with a water-permeable membrane that contains 20 hemoglobin molecules and 480 water molecules is placed into an extracellular fluid that contains 20 dextrose molecules and 480 water molecules. Which of the following should happen?
More water molecules will flow from the SimCell into the extracellular fluid than from the extracellular fluid into the SimCell.
More water molecules will flow from the extracellular fluid into the SimCell than from the SimCell into the extracellular fluid.
There will be no movement of water molecules across the membrane.
Water molecules will move back and forth equally across the membrane.
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Answer
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Step 1:Let's solve this step by step using osmosis principles:
Step 2:: Analyze the Solute Concentrations
* Concentration ratio: $$\frac{20}{500} = 0.04$$ dextrose molecules
- Inside SimCell: * 20 hemoglobin molecules * 480 water molecules - Outside SimCell (Extracellular Fluid): * 20 dextrose molecules * 480 water molecules
Step 3:: Determine Osmotic Potential
- Both the SimCell and extracellular fluid have identical: * Total number of particles (500) * Solute concentration ratio (0.04)
Step 4:: Predict Water Movement
- When solute concentrations are equal, there is no net osmotic pressure - This means water molecules will move equally in both directions across the membrane - No net water flow will occur
Final Answer
The key insight is that osmosis depends on differences in solute concentration. Here, the concentrations are identical, resulting in balanced water molecule movement.
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