Explain What Happened To The Plasma Membrane And Explain The Various Levels Of Concentration

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Mediaphys Lesson
1. Discuss the structure of the plasma membrane and explain the process of active and passive transport through the membrane.

The Cell or plasma membrane is not a solid structure, but made up of proteins that form channels and pores. In addition, carbohydrate molecules serve as recognition of cells and cholesterol molecules contribute to the stability of the membrane. The structure consists mostly of phospholipid molecules. The membrane separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. Active transport requires the use of energy because substances are moved against/up a concentration gradient or across a partially permeable membrane. On the other hand, passive transport moves molecules down the concentration gradient and does not require cellular energy. For example, osmosis which is the movement of water across the membrane would be considered a passive transport because the molecules, or in this case water move easy and freely. …show more content…

Explain what happened to the blood cells at the various levels of concentration. Be sure to refer to the solutions as being hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic.

When a red blood cell is placed in hypotonic (very dilute) solution of NaCl some sodium ions may leave the cell. In addition, water enters the cell, and the cell swells, because the concentration of solutes is greater inside the cell than outside of it.
When a red blood cell is placed in hypertonic (very concentrated) solution of NaCl sodium ions may enter the cell, but are pumped out by the Na/K-ATPase pump. In addition, water leaves the cell, and the cell shrinks, because the concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than inside it.
When a red blood cell is placed in an isotonic solution of NaCl, water neither leaves nor enters the cell; the cell neither swells nor shrinks. The concentration of solutes is the same both inside and outside of the cell and consists of the same osmotic

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