Skip to main content
Ch. 7 - Membrane Structure and Function
Chapter 7, Problem 6

DRAW IT An artificial 'cell' consisting of an aqueous solution enclosed in a selectively permeable membrane is immersed in a beaker containing a different solution, the 'environment,' as shown in the accompanying diagram. The membrane is permeable to water and to the simple sugars glucose and fructose but impermeable to the disaccharide sucrose. a. Draw solid arrows to indicate the net movement of solutes into and/or out of the cell. b. Is the solution outside the cell isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic? c. Draw a dashed arrow to show the net osmosis, if any. d. Will the artificial cell become more flaccid, more turgid, or stay the same? e. Eventually, will the two solutions have the same or different solute concentrations?

Verified Solution

Video duration:
4m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Selective Permeability

Selective permeability refers to the property of biological membranes that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others. In this scenario, the membrane permits the passage of water and simple sugars like glucose and fructose, but not larger molecules such as sucrose. This concept is crucial for understanding how substances move in and out of the artificial cell and how it interacts with its environment.
Recommended video:
04:43
Natural Selection

Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is vital for maintaining cell turgor and overall homeostasis. In the context of the question, understanding osmosis helps determine the direction of water movement in relation to the solute concentrations inside and outside the artificial cell.
Recommended video:

Tonicity

Tonicity describes the relative concentration of solutes in two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane, influencing the movement of water. Solutions can be isotonic (equal solute concentration), hypotonic (lower solute concentration outside the cell), or hypertonic (higher solute concentration outside the cell). Identifying the tonicity of the external solution is essential for predicting whether the artificial cell will swell, shrink, or remain unchanged.
Recommended video:
Guided course
10:08
Environmental Tonicity Affects Cells