MED 112

Group 5 Section 1-C

Cell and Membrane Physiology and Biophysics

1.1.1 DIFFUSION
A. Results and Observation
Table 1. Recorded time of
Temperature of Water Time (s)
Cold ~ 5
Warm ~ 3-4

Methylene blue crystals are exposed to two different conditions of water cold and warm. For
the cold water, it took approximately five seconds (Table 1) to completely disperse the crystals into the
solution. As for the warm water, 3-4 seconds (Table 1) was the time recorded to fully dissipate the
methylene blue crystals particles. Result of which showed that warm water effectively dissipates and
exhibits rapid diffusion rate. This is supported by the Ficks First Law of Diffusion and Stokes-Einstein
equation. Both stated that in elevated temperatures, the rate of diffusion is higher (Koeppen and
Stanton, 2010).

B. Questions
1. What is meant by diffusion?
In diffusion, solute particles/molecules tend to move to an area of high concentration to an area
of low concentration which occurs when there is concentration gradient present (Koeppen and Stanton,
2010).

2. What are the factors that affect the rate of diffusion?
The factors that affect the rate of diffusion are the temperature, area across which the diffusion
is occurring, distance along which diffusion is occurring, size of the molecule, concentration gradient,
viscosity of the medium (Koeppen and Stanton, 2010).

3. What is the principal driving force of diffusion?
The thermal motion of molecules is the principal driving force of diffusion. Consequently, the
rate of diffusion is directly proportional to temperature (Koeppen & Stanton, 2010).

Reference
Koeppen, B.M. and Stanton, B.A. (2010). Berne & Levy Physiology (6
th
Ed.). Philadelphia, P. A.: Mosby
Elsevier.










1.1.2 OSMOSIS

A. Results and Observation
Slides (Conditions) Osmolarity and
Tonicity
Pictures
Slide A
(2 drops of distilled
water)
Hypo-osmolar and
Hypotonic

Slide B
(2 drops of 0.5% NaCl
solution)
Hypo-osmolar and
Hypotonic

Slide C
(2 drops of 0.9% NaCl
solution)
Iso-osmolar and
Isotonic

Slide D
(2 drops of 1.5% NaCl
solution)
Hyper-osmolar and
Hypertonic


In conclusion, slide A showed that distilled water is a hypotonic solution showing no signs of RBC
due to the hemolysis, slide B showed that 0.5% NaCl solution is also hypotonic solution but due to the
presence of small amount of solutes, some RBSs are retained but spherical in shape, slide C showed
that 0.9% NaCl solution is an isotonic solution showing the abundance of RBC and retaining its biconcave
shape and slide D showed that 1.5% NaCl solution is a hypertonic solution showing shrinkage of RBCs. In
terms of osmolarity, slide A and B are hypo-osmolar, slide C is iso-osmolar, while slide D is hyper-
osmolar.

1.1.3 ADSORPTION AND ABSORPTION

A. Results and Observation

Table 2. Color of filtrate upon the addition of activated charcoal and brown sugar
Filtrate + activated charcoal + brown sugar
A Clear ---
B --- Dark blue

Based on the table above, Filtrate A showed a clear solution while filtrate B remained dark blue.
Filtrate A turned colorless due to the adsorptive properties of activated charcoal. It is also characterized
by very fine particles, which is maximized because of the increased surface area of the carbon particles.
In turn, this also increases the interaction between carbon and methylene blue molecules.

Filtrate B remained dark blue (Table 2). The sugar added to sample B before it was filtered does
not have adsorptive properties. Aside from the color, there is a slight increase in viscosity of filtrate B.

B. Questions
1. Define adsorption and differentiate absorption.
Adsorption is the adhesion in an extremely thin layer of molecules to the surface of solid bodies
or liquids with which they are in contact. In adsorption, the molecules adhere only on the surface of an
adsorptive agent while in absorption, the molecules is taken in by the absorptive agent. For example,
molecules will adhere to the surface of activated charcoal (adsorption). Water molecules are sucked up
by a sponge (absorption).

2. Give one significant therapeutic use of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is well-known for its adsorptive properties. Therapeutically, it is used as an
antidote in poisonings. Activated charcoal is a part of the universal antidote, having the highest part on
such formulation (2 parts activated charcoal, one part magnesium oxide, one part tannic acid).



Problem-based Learning on Cell Physiology

Permeability and Simple Diffusion in a Lipid Bilayer

A. Questions:
1. What equation describes the diffusion coefficient for a solute? What is the relationship between
molecular radius and diffusion coefficient?
The Stokes-Einstein equation describes the diffusion coefficient for a solute. There is an inverse
relationship between the molecular radius and diffusion coefficient. Therefore, small solutes have high
diffusion coefficients, and large solutes have low diffusion coefficients. The formula for Strokes-Einstein
equation is:

wherein: k = Boltzmanns constant
T = temperature in degrees Kelvin
r = radius of the molecule
= viscosity of the medium

2. What equation relates permeability to diffusion coefficient? What is the relationship between
molecular radius and permeability?
The equation

, wherein: p = permeability;
K = partition coefficient (oil-water)
D = diffusion coefficient
X = membrane thickness
This equation relates permeability to diffusion coefficient. There is an inverse relationship between
molecular radius and permeability. Thus, as the molecular radius increases, both the diffusion
coefficient and permeability decrease.

3. What is the relationship between oil-water partition coefficient and permeability? What are the units
of the partition coefficient? How is the partition coefficient measured?
There is a direct relationship between oil-water partition coefficient and permeability. Thus, the
higher the partition coefficient of a solute, the higher its oil or lipid solubility and the more readily it
dissolves in a lipid bilayer. The units of the partition coefficient (K) are described as follows: if it involves
to immiscible liquids, K has no units; whereas if gas and a solution is involved, then appropriate units
must be used for partition. Example units for gas and a solution is Pamol-3. The partition coefficient is in
the formula:

[( )]
[( )]


Both concentrations must be of the same unit. Example, molarity, moldm-3, gdm-3, mgcm-3.

Osmotic Pressure

1. What is osmolarity, and how is it calculated?
Osmolarity is the osmotic pressure generated by the dissolved solute molecules in 1 liter of
solvent. Osmolarity (mOsm/L) = concentration(mmol/L) x number of dissociable particles.


2. What is osmosis? What is the driving force for osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water from greater water concentration to lesser water
concentration. The forces are hydrostatic pressure, the ability of water to move out of its compartment,
and osmotic pressure, which keeps water within the compartment.

3. What is osmotic pressure, and how is it calculated? What is effective osmotic pressure, and how is it
calculated?
Osmotic pressure is determined solely by the number of molecules in that solution. It is not
dependent on each factor as the size of the molecules, their mass, or their chemical nature. Osmotic
pressure (), measured in atmospheres (atm), is calculated by Vans Hoffs Law as = nCRT wherein:
n= number of dissociable particles per molecule
C = total solute concentration
R = gas constant
T = temperature in degrees Kelvin

Effective osmotic pressure involves both concentration of solute particles and the extent to
which solute crosses the membrane. The effective osmotic pressure is as follows:
wherein:
eff = effective osmotic pressure (atm)
g = number of particles/mol in solution
C = concentration (eg. mmol/L)
R = gas constant (0.082 Latm/mol K)
T = absolute temperature (K)
= reflection coefficient (no. units; varies from 0 to 1)

Case 1
Melvin Dizon is a 16-year old sprinter on the high school tract team. Recently after he completed his
events, he felt extremely weak, and his legs became like rubber. Eating, especially carbohydrates,
made him feel worse. After the most recent meet, he was unable to walk and had to be carried from the
track on a stretcher. His parents were very alarmed and made an appointment for Melvin to be
evaluated. As part of the workup, the pediatrician measured Melvins serum K+ concentration which
was normal (4.5mEq/L). However, because the pediatrician suspected a connection with K+, the
measurement was repeated immediately after a strenuous exercise treadmill test. After the treadmill
test, Melvins serum K+ was alarmingly low (2.2mEq/L). Melvin was diagnosed as having an inherited
disorder and subsequently was treated with K+ supplementation.

Questions:
1. What is the diagnosis for Melvins case?
Melvin has hypokalemia, a serum K+ concentration below normal (4.5mEq/L).

2. Propose a mechanism whereby a decrease in the serum K+ concentration could lead to skeletal
muscle weakness.
A decrease in serum K+ concentration (hypokalemia) can hyperpolarize skeletal muscle cells,
impairing their ability to develop the depolarization necessary for muscle contraction. It also reduces
blood flow to skeletal muscles.


3. Why did Melvins weakness occur after exercise? Why did eating carbohydrates exacerbate (worsen)
the weakness?
Due to the reduction of blood flow and hyperpolarized muscles, the body is weak. Plus,
exercising reinforces the status and potassium depletion of the body, which can also provoke
rhabdomyolysis. Also, hypokalemia has a dual effect on glucose regulation by decreasing insulin release
and peripheral insulin sensitivity, thus, worsening his condition more with carbohydrates and
carbohydrates are rich in glucose.

4. How would K+ supplementation be expected to improve Melvins condition?
Since his hypokalemia, which is below 4.5 mEq/L, is severe, intravenous potassium should be
given with maintaining follow up care. Another inherited disorder, called primary hyperkalemic periodic
paralysis, involves an initial period of spontaneous muscle contractions (spasms), followed by prolonged
muscle weakness. Using your knowledge of the ionic basis for the skeletal muscle action potential,
propose a mechanism whereby an increase in the serum K+ concentration could lead to spontaneous
contractions followed by prolonged weakness.

The initial period of spontaneous muscle contractions (spasms) is due to hyperkalemia. The
increase of K+ concentration makes the K+ equilibrium potential and resting membrane potential
become depolarized. Due to this, the resting membrane potential is closer to the threshold potential
and as a result, less inward current is required to initiate the upstroke of action potential.

There are two sets of Na+ channels: inactivation gates and activation gates. The activation gates
on Na+ channels open in response to depolarization. Although inactivation gates close slowly than
activation gates open, in prolonged depolarization as to hyperkalemia, the inactivation gates close and
remains closed when the inactivation gates are closed, the Na+ channels are closed, regardless of the
position of activation gates, action potential upstroke occur only if both sets of Na+ channels are open,
because the inactivated gates are closed, no action potential occurs. Thus, there is no muscle
contraction.