Problem:
Consider a simple spherical model cell that consists of cytoplasm and a plasma membrane. The cell's initial volume is 2 nL and contains 0.2 M protein. The cell is placed in a large volume of 0.05 M CaCl2. Neither Ca++ nor Cl- can cross the plasma membrane and enter the cell.
Question: Is the 0.05 M CaCl2 solution hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic relative to the osmolarity inside the cell?
Question: Describe what happens to the mathematically cell as it achieves equilibrium in this new environment.
Question: What will be the final osmolarity of the cell?
Question: What will be its final volume?