Question

q7. a simcell with a water - permeable membrane that contains 20 hemoglobin molecules and 480 water molecules is placed in an extracellular fluid that contains 40 dextrose molecules and 960 water molecules. which of the following should happen? more water molecules will flow from the simcell into the extracellular fluid than from the extracellular fluid into the simcell. more water molecules will flow from the extracellular fluid into the simcell than from the simcell into the extracellular fluid. there will be no movement of water molecules across the membrane. water molecules will move back and forth equally across the membrane

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate water - molecule concentration in SimCell

The total number of molecules in SimCell is \(20 + 480=500\). The proportion of water molecules is \(\frac{480}{500}=0.96\).

Step2: Calculate water - molecule concentration in extracellular fluid

The total number of molecules in extracellular fluid is \(40 + 960 = 1000\). The proportion of water molecules is \(\frac{960}{1000}=0.96\).

Step3: Determine water - molecule movement

Since the water - molecule concentrations are equal on both sides of the water - permeable membrane, water molecules will move back and forth equally across the membrane due to the principle of osmosis (equal osmotic pressure).

Answer:

Water molecules will move back and forth equally across the membrane