Question

1. A normal mammalian cell will shrink if it is placed into_________. (Assume all solutes are non-penetrating) A. pure water B. 50 mM glucose C. 150 mM NaCl D. 200 mM NaCl E. 300 mM glucose

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 50 mM glucose; E. 300 mM glucose

Explanation:

In order for the cell to shrink the concentration of solutes in the blood should be above normal or higher than the intracellular concentration, so that water moves from the inside of the cell to the outside by the process known as osmosis.

The normal blood levels of NaCl = ~ 154 mM; therefore A, C and D will not cause any shrinkage.

The normal blood levels of glucose = ~ 3.9 to 7.1 mM; therefore water would move from the intracellular to the extracellular space since the solutes are 10x higher outside the cell, causing shrinkage of the cell.