Question

Q9. A SimCell has a special membrane that is permeable to alcohol but not to water. This SimCell contains 20% alcohol and 80% water and is placed in a solution containing 40% alcohol and 60% water. What will happen to the cell?

Answer 1

Answer:

The SimCell will expand due to net movement of alcohol into the cell

Explanation:

Since the SimCell is only permeable to alcohol and not water, only alcohol can move in and out of the cell. Hence, if a SimCell that contains 20% alcohol and 0% water is placed in a solution containing 40% alcohol and 60% water, there would be a net movement of alcohol from the surrounding solution into the SimCell till equilibrium concentration of alcohol is established between the SimCell and the surrounding solution.

Therefore, the SimCell will expand due to the net movement of alcohol into the cell.