"Open to the outside" of the cell?

[Matt204823545]

Summary:: What does this mean?
Discussion changed to meaning of words - moved from Biology
When a channel in a plasma membrane (or really anything else in everyday life) is "open to the outside" of the membrane (or wall), what does that mean? Does that mean if you're standing outside of it then you'll see it open for you to enter? Or it is open for things inside to leave? Is this a subjective term that differs between people? Or is it an established fact denoting one of those options? Similarly, what is "open to the inside" supposed to mean? Is this a problem with my English skills or is it a Biology problem

 

[anuttarasammyak]

Or it is open for things inside to leave?

It makes such a sense to me. We are looking at inside members will do, not or less outside. "Open to the inside is vice versa.

 

[Matt204823545]

It makes such a sense to me. We are looking at inside members will, do not or less outside. "Open to the inside is vice versa.

Wat

 

[atyy]

For most ion channels, "open" means that the ions allowed to pass through the channel can enter or leave the channel, ie. it is not the channel "shape" that governs the direction of ion flow through it. However, in many situations, ion flow is directional for the "open" configuration of the channel, with the flow direction being determined by the difference in ion concentration and the difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of the cell.

One should note that although the "open" configuration of the channel allows bidirectional flow, another mechanism of acheiving directional flow is by making the "open" or closed" configuration depend on the membrane potential difference.

Another example of channels that allow bidirectional flow are aquaporins, that allow water to flow in and out of the cell. Again, there may be net flow of water in one direction, but that is governed by factors other than the "shape" of the channel.

 

[Matt204823545]

For most ion channels, "open" means that the ions allowed to pass through the channel can enter or leave the channel, ie. it is not the channel "shape" that governs the direction of ion flow through it. However, in many situations, ion flow is directional for the "open" configuration of the channel, with the flow direction being determined by the difference in ion concentration and the difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of the cell.

One should note that although the "open" configuration of the channel allows bidirectional flow, another mechanism of acheiving directional flow is by making the "open" or closed" configuration depend on the membrane potential difference.

Another example of channels that allow bidirectional flow are aquaporins, that allow water to flow in and out of the cell. Again, there may be net flow of water in one direction, but that is governed by factors other than the "shape" of the channel.

Thanks but that has nothing to do with what I asked. I asked if "open to the outside" means outside things can go in or inside things can go out. This is in general, it doesn't have to be strictly about cells, it can be anything in everyday life. I'm not talking about "shape" I'm talking about the term "open to outside/inside". Your response should be either "open to the outside means outside things can go inside" or "open to the outside means inside things can go outside", that's it. Not 3 paragraphs on ion channels, potential differences and aquaporins. I simply require 1 sentence.

 

[atyy]

Thanks but that has nothing to do with what I asked. I asked if "open to the outside" means outside things can go in or inside things can go out. This is in general, it doesn't have to be strictly about cells, it can be anything in everyday life. I'm not talking about "shape" I'm talking about the term "open to outside/inside". Your response should be either "open to the outside means outside things can go inside" or "open to the outside means inside things can go outside", that's it. Not 3 paragraphs on ion channels, potential differences and aquaporins. I simply require 1 sentence.

When we say a channel is "open", we refer to its configuration or "shape".

 

[Matt204823545]

When we say a channel is "open", we refer to its configuration or "shape".

Ok, when a one-way road is "open to the outside" of a city, does that mean people are only allowed to enter the city or only allowed to exit? That is my question.
I can give you many more examples. When a plumber's one-way pipe is "open to the outside" of a bathtub, does that mean water can only enter the bathtub or only exit the bathtub?
Forget about cells for a second.

 

[atyy]

Ok, when a one-way road is "open to the outside" of a city, does that mean people are only allowed to enter the city or only allowed to exit? That is my question.
I can give you many more examples. When a plumber's one-way pipe is "open to the outside" of a bathtub, does that mean water can only enter the bathtub or only exit the bathtub?
Forget about cells for a second.

It's a problem with your understanding of English. There is no general answer.