Water can cross a cell membrane by a variety of means. List at least three. Do water molecules cross a membrane through the same molecules as other solutes? Explain. Are all cells equally permeable to water? Explain.

What will be an ideal response?


Water can cross through the phospholipid molecules, through special water channels called aquaporins, and through open or leak channels (pores) that also transport ions. Water can move through pores as a solvation shell around ions or independent of ions, because the watery interstitial fluid is continuous with the watery cytosol when pores are open. Some cells are more permeable to water, especially those with less cholesterol in the membranes and those with a high density of pores.

Anatomy & Physiology

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