Calculating conductivity of the cell interior and the blood

In summary, the conversation is about calculating the conductivity of the cell interior and blood based on the given table of ion concentrations. The individual is struggling to calculate the conductivity as they only have the concentrations. They are seeking help and the assignment is due tomorrow.
  • #1
Kathi201
40
0
They give me a table of ion concentrations of the most common ions in the cell interior and in the blood. I am asked to calculate the conductivity of the cell interior and that of the blood. I have no idea how to calculate conductivity if I only know the concentrations. Here is the table I am provided with

Ion, Ion concentration in cell, Blood
K+, 140, 4
Na+, 10, 145
CL- , 5, 116


Any help would be appreciated ASAP. This assignment is due tomorrow so I would really appreciate any advice!
 
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  • #2
You need to show some work before we can help you. What have you tried; what do you know about such problems?
 
  • #3


Conductivity is a measure of how well a substance conducts electricity. In order to calculate conductivity, we need to know both the concentration and the charge of the ions present in the substance.

First, we need to convert the concentrations given in the table to molarity (M). This can be done by dividing the concentration (in mmol/L) by the ion's molecular weight (in g/mol).

For K+: 140 mmol/L / 39.1 g/mol = 3.58 M
For Na+: 10 mmol/L / 22.99 g/mol = 0.43 M
For Cl-: 5 mmol/L / 35.45 g/mol = 0.14 M

Next, we need to determine the charge of each ion. K+ and Na+ both have a charge of +1, while Cl- has a charge of -1.

Now, we can use the equation for conductivity (σ) which is given by σ = κC, where κ is the specific conductance and C is the concentration in molarity.

For the cell interior:
σ = (κK+ x CK+) + (κNa+ x CNa+) + (κCl- x CCl-)
Where κK+, κNa+, and κCl- are the specific conductances for each ion and CK+, CNa+, and CCl- are their respective molar concentrations.

To calculate the specific conductance (κ), we can use the following values:
- For K+: 73.5 mS/cm^2/mol
- For Na+: 50.1 mS/cm^2/mol
- For Cl-: 76.3 mS/cm^2/mol

Plugging in the values, we get:
σ = (73.5 mS/cm^2/mol x 3.58 M) + (50.1 mS/cm^2/mol x 0.43 M) + (76.3 mS/cm^2/mol x 0.14 M)
= 262.83 mS/cm

For the blood, the calculation is similar:
σ = (κK+ x CK+) + (κNa+ x CNa+) + (κCl- x CCl-)
= (73.5 mS/cm^2/mol x 4 M) + (50.1 mS/cm^2/mol x 145 M) + (76.3 m
 

1. What is the purpose of calculating conductivity of the cell interior and the blood?

The purpose of calculating conductivity of the cell interior and the blood is to understand the electrical properties of these biological components. Conductivity is a measure of how easily an electric current can pass through a material. By calculating conductivity, we can gain insights into the ion concentrations and overall electrical activity within the cell and blood.

2. How is conductivity of the cell interior and the blood measured?

Conductivity of the cell interior and the blood can be measured using specialized equipment such as a conductivity meter or a multi-channel analyzer. These devices apply an electric field to the sample and measure the resulting current. The conductivity can then be calculated using the measured current and the known properties of the sample.

3. What factors affect the conductivity of the cell interior and the blood?

Several factors can affect the conductivity of the cell interior and the blood. These include the concentration of ions such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, as well as the temperature and pH of the sample. Additionally, the presence of any impurities or particles in the sample can also impact conductivity measurements.

4. How do changes in conductivity of the cell interior and the blood indicate disease or illness?

Changes in the conductivity of the cell interior and the blood can be indicative of various diseases or illnesses. For example, imbalances in ion concentrations or changes in pH levels can be a sign of metabolic disorders or kidney dysfunction. Additionally, infections or inflammation can also alter the conductivity of the blood and indicate the presence of an illness.

5. Can conductivity measurements of the cell interior and the blood be used for diagnostic purposes?

While conductivity measurements can provide valuable information about the electrical properties of biological components, they are not typically used as the sole method for diagnosis. Conductivity measurements are often used in conjunction with other tests and evaluations to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions. Additionally, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between changes in conductivity and specific diseases or health conditions.

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