explain the importance of having unequal distribution of ions on both sides of the cell membrane and what if?
598126
The distribution of ions across a cell membrane produces a concentration gradient that can be used by the cell to do various kinds of work (i.e. power non-spontaneous reactions).  \n\nFor example, in mitochondria and certain aerobic bacteria, the gradient of H+ ions powers ATP synthase, and allows it to make ATP (an extremely important energy storage molecule).  \n\nIn other cells, the concentration gradients of ions can be used to facilitate active transport across the membrane by coupling an ion moving along it's concentration gradient with another molecule moving against it.\n\nIn neurons, the difference in the concentrations of ions inside and outside the cell creates a membrane polarity that allows the action potential (i.e. the nerve firing) to occur.  When the nerve is activated by a neurotransmitter or a direct external stimulus, sodium channels open, allowing Na+ to rush into the cell, making it positive relative to the external environment.  This change in polarity moves along the cell, and causes the cell to release specific neurotransmitters at the other end.\n\nIf the ions were distributed equally, none of the processes I just mentioned would work!
874952
Saltwater is isotonic to a cell assuming that it has a balanced osmolarity for the particular cell.  Fresh water has essentially no ionic component, and as such will cause the cell to take up water in an attempt to balance the gradient.
180379
Like the refractive index of urine (specific gravity) it depends on the concentration of the dissolved solutes. Other than using it as a baseline in the assays mentioned above, I can think of little purpose in performing it. It is non-specific, and even a reading in the 'normal' range would not preclude an electrolyte imbalance.
909726
are you asking a question here or are you trying to preach. well i don't deny the presence of God and i am quite a religious man. but i think it was quite a absurd way to manupilate the facts as you did. u have combined the holistic approach and the scientific approach to arrive at a pseudo conclusion. why are u using that -ve ion and positive ion theory. in fact if you look at the sperm, u will find thatit is nothing but a single strand of DNA with few protiens and yeah proteins are postively charged ions but the same protein are present in ovum too and infact in larger quantity than in sperm,, so the ovum is bound to be more positively charged, if we go by your hypothesis.\n\nbetter u correct your facts before you post.\n\nP.S: i would have answered longer still and would have posted thousands of doubt in your question if i would have time and patience to go through your question completely. but unfortunately i don't think it's worth my time to waste my energy on such a stupid question. \nyou are making the mockery of GOD as well as science
29699
Very interesting question. Ion channels are small pores in a cell membrane (the membrane is like the skin on an apple). The channels let ions (atoms or molecules which have an electric charge) travel into and out of the cell. This is how chemical nutrients get into the cell!
894576
Diffusion is simply the natural movement of ions and small molecules, usually from one side of a membrane to another, but also throughout a liquid. They always flow from more concentrated to less concentrated. So the concentration gradient between the cell and its environment determines which direction the molecules/ions move.
518652
It is the simplest form of a cell membrane. Actually the cell on contain es the cell membrane and nothing else. It is used for research when doing tests on a cell membrane. It has nothing that could interfere with normals.
771971
Cell membrane, or phospholipid bi-layer.
17547
OSMOSIS IS THE MOVEMENT OF WATER MOLECULES ACROSS THE CELL MEMBRANE.  IF THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE IS HIGH i.e THERE ARE MORE WATER MOLECULES INSIDE THE CELL THEN WATER MOVES OUT TO LESSEN THE PRESSURE.  IF THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE IS VERY LOW THEN WATER MOLECULES MOVE INTO THE CELL TO KEEP THE PRESSURE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE EQUAL.\n\n(IT IS RUDE TO WRITE IN ALL CAPITALS)
716904
The plasma membrane has been called an asymmetric fluid mosaic structure. Made from two leaflets of lipids that form a bilayer (see also Lipid Biosynthesis), it contains proteins that can span one or both layers or are peripherally attached to one face or the other. The components of the bilayer frequently move laterally into other regions of the membrane, making it appear more fluid than static. In addition, proteins on the extracellular face can be heavily glycosylated, giving the membrane asymmetrical characteristics.
802415
Normally the particles (let us call them solutes for now) move from where they are more in concentration to where there are less solute particles in solution. This is just diffusion. This is some kind of standard stuff ALL THINGS MOVE FROM HEIGHTS to DEPTHS!! no more energy is required for this.\n\nBUT there are many more things in life which need to go against this principle and this is where the cell needs to spend energy ATP may be.. So when some particles are actively transported what it means is that energy is spent to do something against the concentration gradient. If it wants to bring more K+ ions into a cell which already has heaps when compared to the outside it needs to spend energy, There are many reasons why it may want to do it.. ... may be it wants to accumulate stuff for later (store glucose)..\n\n ..\nhope that helps,,,
252836
The cell membrane regulates what comes in and what leaves the cell....it kind of acts like a filter!
780599
Water equalizes the pressure between the outside and the inside of the cell wall, so it doesn't become damaged.  It also is the transport medium for nutrients coming in, and waste exiting.
967476
CELL MEMBRANE IS THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN IT'S CELL AND IT ENVIRONMENT
383628
They have a semi-permiable membrane.  Water will always seek to have equal number of solutes on either side of the membrane.  Therefore if the red blood cell suddenly has an increased amount of fluid rushing in (to try to equilibrate the solute concentration) then the cell will burst.
960602
Na+/K+-ATPase (also known as the Na+/K+ pump or sodium-potassium pump) is an enzyme (EC 3.6.3.9) located in the plasma membrane (specifically an electrogenic transmembrane ATPase). It is found in the plasma membrane of virtually every human cell and is common to all cellular life. It helps maintain cell potential and regulate cellular volume.\n\nIn order to maintain the cell potential, cells must keep a low concentration of sodium ions and high levels of potassium ions within the cell (intracellular). Outside cells (extracellular), there are high concentrations of sodium and low concentrations of potassium, so diffusion occurs through ion channels in the plasma membrane. In order to keep the appropriate concentrations, the sodium-potassium pump pumps sodium out and potassium in through active transport.\n\nThe mechanism is:\n\nThe pump, with bound ATP, binds 3 intracellular Na+ ions. \nATP is hydrolyzed, leading to phosphorylation of the pump at a highly conserved aspartate residue and subsequent release of ADP. \nA conformational change in the pump exposes the Na+ ions to the outside. The phosphorylated form of the pump has a low affinity for sodium ions, so they are released. \nThe pump binds 2 extracellular K+ ions, leading to the dephosphorylation of the pump. \nATP binds, and the pump reorients to release potassium ions inside the cell so the pump is ready to go again. \n\nAs the plasma membrane is far less permeable to sodium than it is to potassium ions, an electric potential (negative intracellularly) is the eventual result.\n\nThe electrical and concentration gradient established by the sodium-potassium ATPase supports not only the cell resting potential but the action potentials of nerves and muscles. Export of sodium from the cell provides the driving force for several facilitated transporters, which import glucose, amino acids and other nutrients into the cell. Translocation of sodium from one side of an epithelium to the other side creates an osmotic gradient that drives the absorption of water.\n\nAnother important task of the Na+-K+ pump is to provide a Na+ gradient that is used by certain carrier processes. In the gut, for example, sodium is transported out of the resorbing cell on the blood side via the Na+-K+ pump, whereas, on the resorbing side, the Na+-Glucose symporter uses the created Na+ gradient as a source of energy to import both Na+ and Glucose, which is far more efficient than simple diffusion. Similar processes are located in the renal tubular system.
1157889
Sodium (Which retains water in the body and is an electrolyte), sugar, probably some potassium, and lots of water. \n\nElectrolytes are ions, such as sodium, potassium, or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane. -Which means they make it easier for your cells to work, process things, and remove waste with water.