Osmotic pressure=hydrostatic pressure in Ushaped tube

In summary, osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of solvent molecules due to osmosis. This can be balanced by the hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure that will stop the flow of solvent molecules in a U-shaped tube or any other set-up. This can also be seen in a sealed, porous bag of solute in pure solvent, as the solvent moves from regions of high to low chemical potential, increasing the pressure until it equals the osmotic pressure. Similarly, cells can swell and even rupture when placed in pure water due to osmotic pressure.
  • #1
gracy
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osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of solvent molecules due to osmosis.So in case of U shaped tube as in the image below hydrostatic pressure is the pressure which will stop the flow of solvent molecules due to osmosis. So hydrostatic pressure =osmotic pressure right?And if yes is it only in case of u-shaped tube?
osmotic-pressure.png

http://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=196955.0;attach=45336;image
 
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  • #2
gracy said:
osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of solvent molecules due to osmosis.So in case of U shaped tube as in the image below hydrostatic pressure is the pressure which will stop the flow of solvent molecules due to osmosis. So hydrostatic pressure =osmotic pressure right?And if yes is it only in case of u-shaped tube?
osmotic-pressure.png

http://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=196955.0;attach=45336;image

Yes, the hydrostatic pressure balances the osmpotic pressure. This will occur in any set-up. Doesn't need to be u-shaped.

You can also see the same thing with a sealed, porous (to solvent) bag with some solute placed in a pure solvent. The solvent will go from bath to bag (the chemical potential of the solvent in the bag is lower than the pure solvent), and molecules "want" to move from regions of high chemical potential to low. The bag will fill, and the pressure in the bag will increase until the pressure in the bag equals the osmotic pressure.

A cell is just a semipermeable bag of solute. You can get cells to swell up and sometimes rupture by putting them into pure water.
 

1. What is osmotic pressure?

Osmotic pressure is a measurement of the force of water moving through a semi-permeable membrane due to differences in solute concentration on either side of the membrane.

2. How is osmotic pressure related to hydrostatic pressure in a U-shaped tube?

In a U-shaped tube, osmotic pressure and hydrostatic pressure are equal when the liquid levels on both sides of the membrane are at the same height. This is because the pressure exerted by the liquid column on one side is balanced by the pressure exerted by the liquid column on the other side.

3. What factors affect osmotic pressure in a U-shaped tube?

The two main factors that affect osmotic pressure in a U-shaped tube are the concentration of solutes on either side of the membrane and the temperature of the solution. Higher solute concentrations and higher temperatures will result in higher osmotic pressure.

4. How is osmotic pressure measured in a U-shaped tube?

Osmotic pressure can be measured using a U-shaped tube through the use of a manometer, which measures the height difference between the liquid levels on either side of the membrane. The higher the difference, the higher the osmotic pressure.

5. What is the significance of osmotic pressure in biological systems?

Osmotic pressure plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of fluids and nutrients within cells. It also helps to regulate the movement of fluids and particles across cell membranes, which is important for many biological processes such as osmoregulation and nutrient absorption.

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