PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Biophysics & Medical Physics · Molecular machines, transport and bioenergetics · Molecular machines, transport and bioenergetics
Life at Thermal Energy, Ch The membrane: barrier, capacitor and pump
Problem
A rounded animal cell (not a red blood cell, so its membrane area is not a limiting constraint on its shape) has volume 4.0pL in isotonic saline at 300mOsm. All of its solutes are trapped inside by the membrane. The cell is moved into a hypotonic saline at 240mOsm. Predict the cell's equilibrium volume in the new solution.