blah blah blah biocrap?

Question

how do the differing water solutions which constantly bathe all body cells create the potential for problem transport into or out of cells?

Answer 1

Since membranes are really not permeable to the electrolytes present in and around cells, but they are permeable to water, simple thermodynamics will do all it could to make the total concentration of particles (osmolarity) equal on both sides of the membrane by allowing water to cross until the concentrations even out. What does this mean? It means that we need to maintain the solutions the cells bathe in (extracellular fluid) at certain concentrations of certain ions, since we can't control the insides of the cells. This is why we get thirsty, when there is too much sodium (and other electrolytes) in circulation.

Now, if you follow the news, you will have seen that a woman in California died of "water intoxication". This means that because she consumed so much water without urinating, the concentration of dissolved particles in her blood and extracellular fluid became much less than inside her cells. So thermodynamics made water enter all her cells, and they swelled up, causing massive swelling in her brain, and ultimately death.

Answer 2

Transport into and out of cells is caused by a selectively permeable membrane in a cell. Differing water solutions do not create problems for cell transport. I don't where you got that question but the question is phrased wrong. Proper water balance is maintained inside and outside the cell by diffusion but it is also determined by water concentration in a certain area.

Answer 3

it might decrease or increase the flow

Answer 4

Please rephrase your question as I have difficulty understanding just what it is you seek to know.
Thank you.