Question

What might happen to the cell if it were suddenly unable to use lipids?

Answer 1

What might happen to the cell if it were suddenly unable to use lipids?

(A) It would not be able to make proteins or transfer substances to other cells

(B) Would not be able to transfer genetic information to other cells

(C) It would not be able to store energy or communicate with other cells

(D) It would not be able to store water or protect itself from viruses

Explanation:

Water moves in and out of a cell in conformity with the concentration gradient formed between the membrane of the cell and the extracellular solution. The process whereby the water moves from a region of low solute concentration to a high solute concentration via a semi-permeable membrane is called OSMOSIS.

In this case, the solute concentration of the blood cannot be regulated, hence, it rises. This causes the solute concentration of the blood to be high or is said to be hypertonic than the cell's. This creates an osmotic gradient causing water to flow out of the hypotonic (low solute concentration) cell into the hypertonic extracellular environment (blood). Once water flows out of the cell as a result of osmosis, the cell shrinks or shrivels i.e. reduce in size.