In an experiment, you create two groups of liposomes in a solution containing 0.1 M NaCl—one made from red blood cell membranes
and the other from frog egg cell membranes. When the liposomes are placed in water, those with red blood cell membranes burst more rapidly than those made from egg membranes. Evaluate each of the following statements and identify those that could explain these results.
• T/F The red blood cell liposomes are more hypertonic relative to water than the frog egg liposomes.
• T/F The red blood cell liposomes are more hypotonic relative to water than the frog egg liposomes.
• T/F The red blood cell liposomes contain more aquaporins than the frog egg liposomes.
• T/F The frog egg liposomes contain ion channels, which are not present in the red blood cell liposomes.
As liposomes with red blood cell membranes burst more rapidly than those made from egg membranes, we consider these liposomes as more hypertonic respect to water, than those derived from frog egg cells.
Explanation:
Osmosis is a process where water can cross a semipermeable membrane in a gradient way. Water tends to move from a high concentration of solvent to a low concentration. Then, water goes in through the liposome to dilute its solute content, as it's not easy for molecules inside to go out of the usually impermeable membrane bilayers.
