How does osmosis explain which way Cl- crosses plasma membrane to bronchial cells?The mucus in bronchial tubes must be thin enough for cilia to move bacteria and viruses up into the throat and away from the lungs. Using concept of osmosis, explain which way Cl- would normally cross the plasma membrane of bronchial tube cells in order for mucus to be thin.
Would it be channel proteins?
Answer by shanseuse
Actually, the concept of osmosis is *water* diffusing across a membrane. Diffusion of Cl- would have to be through an ion channel, but that wouldn't be osmosis.
If this question is in reference to cystic fibrosis, in that condition, *water* diffuses from the mucus into the cell because of faulty ion channels, causing the mucus to thicken.
Cl- must be able to exit in order to maintain equilibrium and keep the viscosity of the mucus low and *prevent* a net flow of water molecules by osmosis (there will still be a flow of molecules both ways, but at equal rates).
Orignal From: How does osmosis explain which way Cl- crosses plasma membrane to bronchial cells?
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