Describe the osmotic pressure gradient in terms of osmotic pressure that exists across the red blood cell plasma membrane when red blood cells are suspended in 0.3% NaCl solution. Use scientific terminology.

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Jean KeelingLv2

28 Sep 2019

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We mentioned in class that biological systems are ... We mentioned in class that biological systems are always in a state of osmotic equilibrium due to a combination of solute diffusion in some cases and osmosis in others. In this experiment, what substance is moving across the red blood cell plasma membrane to achieve osmotic equilibrium, Na+ and Cl- or water? Explain why based on your understanding of the permeability characteristics of biological membrane. Always use scientific language. HERE IS AN INTRO TO THE LAB EXPERIMENT Intro: We have known for a very long time that the mammalian red blood cell plasma membrane is very permeable to water. Even the introductory biology student understands that if you put mammalian red blood cells in water, they will rapidly swell and break open (hemolyze) due to the rapid osmosis of water into the cell. The experimental question we are asking in today's lab experiment is "Is the high water permability of mammalian red blood cell plasma membrane due solely to the lipid bilayer, or are there water channels present in the membrane?" Experimental Design: It has been shown by several investigators that water movement through water channels can be blocked by the known K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC). Brooks, Regan and Yool (2000) showed that TEAC reduces the water permeability of human water channels expressed in the plasma membranes of frog ocytes. After preincubation of the oocytes for 15 min with 100 microM TEAC, the water permeability of frog oocyte plasma membrane containing human water channels was reduced 20 to 40%. The investigators concluded that treatment of cells with TEAC can be useful in determining the presence of aquaporins in membranes.The specific objective of today's experiment is to uncover the presence of water channels in mammalian red blood cell plasma membrane by determining the effect of tetraethylammonium chloride on the water permeability of mammalian RBC plasma membran