Question

QUESTION 38 Osmotic pressures drives water into a cell when O A. None of these answers are correct B. there is an equal solute concentration on both sides of the membrane. C. there is a greater solute concentration inside the cell than outside the cell. D. ATP hydrolysis drives aquaporin transport. E. hypotonic conditions open aquaporin channels in the membrane. F. there is a greater solute concentration outside the cell than inside the cell.

Answer 1

ANS-38)

Osmosis is defined as the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction, so as to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any solvent moves across a selectively permeable membrane (permeable to the solvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.

Osmotic pressure is defined as the external pressure required to be applied so that there is no net movement of solvent across the membrane.

So, the osmotic pressure can drive water into a cell only when there is a concentration gradient across the cell. The cell membrane acts like a semi-permeable membrane, which allows only solvent to pass in or out of the cell. So wherever there is a greater solute concentration, solvent will move to that side, in order to neutralise the concentration gradient. So in above question, water will enter into the cell, when there is a greater solute concentration inside the cell as compared to the surrounding environment.

So the correct option is (C) there is greater solute concentration inside the cell than outside the cell.