MEMBRANES 2015-PHARM.

SCIENCE
Aims
1. To predict whether a RBC will shrink, lyse or remain
unchanged when placed in different solutions
2. To study the permeability of a cell membrane (yeast)
to acids and bases (using the indicator neutral red)
3. To revise:
the factors influencing the rate of diffusion of a
substance (with or without membrane)
the concept of membrane potential
the concept of an action potential

Learning objectives
At the completion of the membrane lectures & practical,
students will be able to:
Define the following terms: membrane potential,
action potential, the equilibrium potential, the Nernst
equation, the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation
Describe the different phases of the action potential
with respect to changes in membrane permeability
Explain the relationship between membrane potential,
the action potential and the equilibrium potentials
(for Na+ and K+)
List the factors that affect diffusion (with and without
a membrane)
Define osmolarity and tonicity
Predict whether a RBC will shrink, lyse or remain
unchanged when placed in different solutions

MEMBRANES 2015
Osmolarity
The concentration of all solute particles (penetrating and
non-penetrating)
Tonicity
The concentration of non-penetrating solute particles
n.b. The tonicity will determine whether the cells will
lyse, crenate or remain unaffected
hypotonic
hypertonic
isotonic

-cells will swell, possibly lyse

-cells will crenate (shrink)
-cells will remain unchanged

Concentration of intracellular fluid

0.3M or 0.3Osm or 300mOsm

Today (09/03/2015)
Introduction
-what will happen in prac.
Next week (19 & 20/03/2015)
Prac.
1. Be prepared to:
-Complete & Hand in problem sheet on osmolarity &
tonicity
- Predict whether a RBC will shrink, lyse or remain
unchanged when placed in a particular solution
-Discuss your answer to 1 of the 6 questions (from
lectures-at the end of this handout)
2. Yeast demonstration
listen, take notes, participate

Problem sheet
Solution
0.3M urea
0.3M sucrose
0.05M NaCl
0.15M NaCl
0.5M NaCl
0.15M urea
0.1M MgCl2
0.2M sucrose
0.4 M urea
0.1M urea +
0.2M sucrose
0.2M CaCl2
0.2M urea +
0.2M sucrose
0.2M urea +
0.1M sucrose+
0.1M NaCl
0.1M urea +
0.2M sucrose+
0.1M NaCl
Plasma/
interstitial
fluid

Conc. in
mOsm

Osmolarity
(iso, hypo or
hyper?)

Tonicity
(iso, hypo or
hyper?)

Nett water
movement
(in, out or nil?)

Questions from lectures

1.

Adding high potassium solution (50mM) to smooth

muscle organs (uterus, stomach, bladder) results in a large
contraction. Why?

2.

Nifedipine (Adalat) may be used to effectively treat

some patients who have hypertension. Systemic nifedipine
may also be used to stop premature labour. What does
nifedipine do? How does it reduce high blood pressure?
How does it reduce contractions in the uterus?

3.

Find an example of a drug that interferes with channel

activity and therefore alleviates the symptoms associated
with a particular condition/disease state.

4.

Explain the relationship between membrane potential,

the action potential and the equilibrium potentials (for Na+
and K+)

5.

Describe the different phases of the action potential

with respect to changes in membrane permeability

6.

Muscle and Nerves are EXCITABLE tissues. Discuss this

statement.