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Chapter 5: Q. 25 (page 154)

Why does water move through a membrane?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The water moves through a membrane when it is not in an equilibrium state and when it doesn’t have equal concentrations on each side of the membrane.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Introduction 

Like any other molecules water wants to be in an equilibrium state and also it needs an equal concentration on each side of the membrane. Osmosis is one of the processes which happen instantly to maintain an equilibrium state.

02

Step 2. Explanation 

Water will move quickly inside the cell when the water concentration outside the cell is more than the inside.

In case, when water enters the cell it even raises the concentration level and the reverse action will happen outside the cell if there is a lower concentration.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which characteristic of a phospholipid contributes to the fluidity of the membrane?

  1. its head
  2. cholesterol
  3. a saturated fatty acid tail
  4. double bonds in the fatty acid tail

What is the combination of an electrical gradient and a concentration gradient called?

  1. Potential gradient
  2. Electrical potential
  3. Concentration potential
  4. Electrochemical gradient

A cell develops a mutation in its potassium channels that prevents the ions from leaving the cell. If the cell’s aquaporins are still active, what will happen to the cell? Be sure to describe the tonicity and osmolarity of the cell.

A scientist compares the plasma membrane composition of an animal from the Mediterranean coast with one from the Mojave Desert. Which hypothesis is most likely to be correct?

  1. The cells from the Mediterranean coast animal will have more fluid plasma membranes.
  2. The cells from the Mojave Desert animal will have a higher cholesterol concentration in the plasma membranes.
  3. The cells’ plasma membranes will be indistinguishable.
  4. ‘The cells from the Mediterranean coast animal will have a higher glycoprotein content, while the cells from the Mojave Desert animal will have a higher lipoprotein content.

What happens to the membrane of a vesicle after exocytosis?

  1. It leaves the cell.
  2. It is disassembled by the cell.
  3. It fuses with and becomes part of the plasma membrane.
  4. It is used again in another exocytosis event.
See all solutions

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