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Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 12th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 12th EditionCh. 3 The Cellular Level of OrganizationProblem 28
Chapter 3, Problem 28

Solutions A and B are separated by a selectively permeable barrier. Over time, the level of fluid on side A increases. Which solution initially had the higher concentration of solute?

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1
Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
Identify the direction of fluid movement: Since the fluid level on side A increases, water is moving into side A from side B.
Interpret the movement in terms of solute concentration: Water moves toward the side with the higher solute concentration to balance solute levels on both sides.
Conclude which side had the higher solute concentration initially: Because water moved into side A, side A must have had the higher solute concentration initially.
Summarize the reasoning: The increase in fluid level on side A indicates that side A had a higher solute concentration, causing water to move there by osmosis.

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Key Concepts

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

Selective Permeability

A selectively permeable barrier allows certain molecules, typically solvent molecules like water, to pass through while blocking others, such as solute particles. This property is crucial in processes like osmosis, where solvent movement occurs to balance solute concentrations across the barrier.
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Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. This process aims to equalize solute concentrations on both sides, often causing a change in fluid levels.
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Osmosis

Solute Concentration and Fluid Level Relationship

When two solutions are separated by a selectively permeable membrane, the side with higher solute concentration draws solvent in, increasing its fluid level. Therefore, an increase in fluid level on side A indicates that side B initially had the higher solute concentration.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

List the stages of mitosis, and briefly describe the events that occur in each.

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Textbook Question

(a) What is cytokinesis?

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Textbook Question

A molecule that blocks the ion channels lining integral proteins in the plasma membrane would interfere with

(a) Cell recognition

(b) The movement of lipid-soluble molecules

(c) Producing changes in the electrical charges across a plasma membrane

(d) The ability of protein hormones to stimulate the cell

(e) The cell's ability to divide

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Textbook Question

The transport of a certain molecule exhibits the following characteristics:

(1) The molecule moves down its concentration gradient;

(2) at concentrations above a given level, the rate of transport does not increase; and

(3) cellular energy is not required for transport to occur.

Which transport process is at work?

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Textbook Question

What is the benefit of having some of the cellular organelles enclosed by a membrane similar to the plasma membrane?