The human red-blood cell membranes are freelypermeable to water, but not to sucr

Question

The human red-blood cell membranes are freelypermeable to water, but not to sucrose. In an experiment, thered-blood cell is enclosed to form a bag and is completed submergedin sucrose-water solution. The concentration of sucrose solution isadjusted so that the cell is not shrinking nor swelling. Thefreezing point of the sucrose solution is later determined to be0.56oC. If thesame cell bag is suspended in pure water at 0oC, what is the osmotic pressure of thecell after reaching equilibrium? Assuming the density of water is1.0 g/ml.

Explanation / Answer

T = Kf*m m = T/Kf = (0.56 C)/ (1.56 C/ m) = 0.358974359 molessucrose/kg water M = 0.358974359 moles/ kg water *(1 kg/1000g) *(1 g/mL) *(1000mL/L) = 0.359 moles/Liter Osmotic pressure = Molarity*R*T = (0.359 mol/L)*(0.0821L*atm/mol/K)*(273K) Osmotic pressure = 8.0463747 ~ 8.05 atm

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