Question

A. What is the initial osmotic flow if the osmolarity inside is initially 300 mOSM and the osmolarity outside is 225 mOSM? (Assume σ = 1. 0 for all solutes)

B. If the volume of the cell is 100 x 10-12 cm3, how long would it take to double its volume provided that the osmotic pressure and area of the membrane and Lp did not change?

Answer 1

To calculate the initial osmotic flow, we can use the equation:

Osmotic flow = σ × (osmolarity inside - osmolarity outside)

Given that the osmolarity inside is initially 300 mOSM and the osmolarity outside is 225 mOSM, and assuming σ = 1.0 for all solutes, we can substitute these values into the equation:

Osmotic flow = 1.0 × (300 mOSM - 225 mOSM)

Calculating the difference in osmolarity:

Osmotic flow = 1.0 × (75 mOSM)

Therefore, the initial osmotic flow is 75 mOSM.