0
Why does sodium not just diffuse down the concentration gradient into the cell until concentrations become equal inside and outside of the cell?
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Evolutionary reason: We evolved from single-celled organisms that lived in the ocean, in which sodium is abundant.
Functional reason: Our cell membranes are semi-permeable, meaning some things can pass freely, but others can't. Charged molecules like sodium ions have to pass through special channels and these channels are normally closed. Some cells also have a sodium/potassium pump that actively pumps sodium out of cells and potassium into cells. This helps maintain the concentration gradient.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoWater will go from the inside of the cell to the outside of the cell. Just follow the concentration of water instead of sodium and it makes it much simpler.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What happens when there is a low water concentration outside of a cell?
The water inside the cell goes with the low concentration to reach equilibrium.
When there are different amounts of a substance on either side of the cell membrane an gradient results?
osmosis
In diffiusion movement of particles across a membrane is drven by what differences?
In diffusion, the movement of particles across a membrane is driven by an electrochemical gradient-the ion's concentration gradient and the membrane potential. Substances will passively diffuse down their concentration gradient to where they are less concentrated. Since the inside of a cell is negative compared to its outside, the membrane potential will drive the passive transport of cations into the cell and anions out of the cell due to electrostatic attractions.
How does carbon dioxide and water moves in out of a cell?
The carbon dioxide will move in because if the amount of carbon dioxide fluid is greater outside the cell then the carbon dioxide will diffuse in so that the amount of carbon dioxide inside and outside of the cell will be an equillibrium
What is the Common forms of transport?
Simple Diffusion - Lipid soluble molecules diffuse across the plasma membrane of a cell, uses no ATP energy and only occurs down a concentration gradient.Facilitated Diffusion - Molecules use the aid of proteins scattered throughout the plasma membrane to help them diffuse into or out of a cell, uses no ATP energy and only occurs down a concentration gradient.Co-transport - A molecule such as glucose may have a lower concentration inside a cell than outside so it attaches to a carrier protein, as does a molecule that is higher in concentration inside than outside, a sodium ion for example. The glucose is pulled through the membrane because of its concentration gradient, as this happens the sodium ion is also pulled through. This uses no ATP energy but only occurs if a molecule can move down a concentration gradient (on an exam paper you would have to explain that the sodium moves against a concentration gradient to get full marks).Active transport - A molecule uses the aid of carrier proteins to diffuse against a concentration gradient, this does use ATP energy. The ATP is needed to make the carrier protein change shape. This only occurs against a concentration gradient.
What happens when there is a low water concentration outside of a cell?
The water inside the cell goes with the low concentration to reach equilibrium.
When there are different amounts of a substance on either side of the cell membrane an gradient results?
osmosis
In diffiusion movement of particles across a membrane is drven by what differences?
In diffusion, the movement of particles across a membrane is driven by an electrochemical gradient-the ion's concentration gradient and the membrane potential. Substances will passively diffuse down their concentration gradient to where they are less concentrated. Since the inside of a cell is negative compared to its outside, the membrane potential will drive the passive transport of cations into the cell and anions out of the cell due to electrostatic attractions.
What causes a concentration gradient?
a difference of concentration in and outside of a cell.
How does carbon dioxide and water moves in out of a cell?
The carbon dioxide will move in because if the amount of carbon dioxide fluid is greater outside the cell then the carbon dioxide will diffuse in so that the amount of carbon dioxide inside and outside of the cell will be an equillibrium
What is the Common forms of transport?
Simple Diffusion - Lipid soluble molecules diffuse across the plasma membrane of a cell, uses no ATP energy and only occurs down a concentration gradient.Facilitated Diffusion - Molecules use the aid of proteins scattered throughout the plasma membrane to help them diffuse into or out of a cell, uses no ATP energy and only occurs down a concentration gradient.Co-transport - A molecule such as glucose may have a lower concentration inside a cell than outside so it attaches to a carrier protein, as does a molecule that is higher in concentration inside than outside, a sodium ion for example. The glucose is pulled through the membrane because of its concentration gradient, as this happens the sodium ion is also pulled through. This uses no ATP energy but only occurs if a molecule can move down a concentration gradient (on an exam paper you would have to explain that the sodium moves against a concentration gradient to get full marks).Active transport - A molecule uses the aid of carrier proteins to diffuse against a concentration gradient, this does use ATP energy. The ATP is needed to make the carrier protein change shape. This only occurs against a concentration gradient.
What best describes the Na and K concentrations across a neuron's plasma membrane?
The Na concentration is higher outside of the neuron's plasma membrane, while the K concentration is higher inside the neuron's plasma membrane. This creates an electrochemical gradient that allows for the generation and transmission of electrical signals in neurons.
Do molecules must always diffuse into a cell?
not if the concentration is equal inside and outside of the cell
What is concerntration gradient?
As used in the process of diffusion, the concentration gradient is the graduated difference in concentration of a solute within a solution (as expressed per a unit distance). Molecules tend to move from areas of greater concentration to areas of lesser concentration. i.e. down the gradient.
When the concentration of free water molecules is higher outside a cell than inside the cell water will diffuse?
In this situation there will be endo-osmosis. The water molecules will diffuse from outside to inside cell.
What is the driving force of the membrane?
The driving force is explained by two factors: voltage gradient and concentration gradient. When there are more ions inside of a cell than outside of a cell, the concentration gradient is pushing the ion to exit the cell. This is simple diffusion. If that ion carries a negative charge then it also wants to exit the cell because the outside environment is slightly more positive.So if you add both voltage gradient and concentration gradient you get the driving force. In the example above both gradients are pushing the ion outside of the cell. Sometimes you can have the gradients going in opposites and then the driving force will be determined on which gradient is stronger.
How do cells shrink in the process of osmosis?
In the process of osmosis, water diffuses in and out of the cell, depending on the concentration gradient. If the water is in lower concentration outside the cell, water will diffuse out of the cell to balance out the concentrations inside and outside the cell.For example: if you put a red blood cell inside a beaker of water, the cell would eventually burst. This is because water from the beaker will diffuse into the cell because the concentration of water is lower inside the cell. A red blood cell will burst if it contains too much. However, it has no way of getting rid of the extra water so it just keeps absorbing more and more water until it bursts.-->if you want it to shrink put it into a beaker full o salt water and and the water will move from the cell to the outside to dilute the salt. this will result in shrinking. *bow*
