What is the Molar Mass of an Enzyme with a Given Osmotic Pressure?

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SUMMARY

The molar mass of the enzyme calculated from a 2.02-g sample in a 6.00-mL solution with an osmotic pressure of 0.123 atm at 298K is approximately 67,000 g/mol, or 67 kilodaltons (kDa). The calculation follows the formula pi = MRT, where R is 0.0821 L·atm·K-1·mol-1. The resulting concentration of 0.00503 M leads to a molar mass calculation that aligns with typical enzyme ranges, confirming the accuracy of the result despite initial concerns about its magnitude.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of osmotic pressure and its relation to molarity
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas constant (R) and its units
  • Basic knowledge of molar mass calculations
  • Concept of non-electrolyte behavior in solutions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of the osmotic pressure formula (pi = MRT)
  • Learn about the significance of molar mass in enzyme functionality
  • Explore the properties of non-electrolytes in biochemical solutions
  • Investigate common methods for determining molar mass in laboratory settings
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Students in chemistry or biochemistry, researchers studying enzyme properties, and professionals involved in biochemical analysis will benefit from this discussion.

Benzoate
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Homework Statement



A 2.02-g sample of an enzyme is used to make a 6.00-mL solution. What is the molar mass of the enzyme if the osmotic pressure of the solution at 298K is 0.123 atm? Note that enzymes are nonelectrolytes

Homework Equations



pi=MRT , R=.0821 L*atm*K^1-*mol^1-

The Attempt at a Solution



pi=MRT => pi/RT=M=.123 atm/(298K)(.0821)=.00503 M

to find molar mass, I'd want to convert my concentration into grams/mol

.00503 M =.00503 mmol/1 mL
multiply (.00503 mmol/1mL)*(6.00 mL)= .0302 mmol => .00003016 mol enzyme

so molar mass = 2.02 g enzyme /.00003016 mol enzyme = 66976. 12732 g/mol , which is unusually enormous for a typical molar mass
 
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I did the problem a few times and got the same answer. Althought it does seem high so I redid it a few times and kept getting the same answer. Maybe I'm missing something.
 
The answer looks right to me.
 
Benzoate said:
...so molar mass = 2.02 g enzyme /.00003016 mol enzyme = 66976. 12732 g/mol , which is unusually enormous for a typical molar mass


I assume that your answer is approximately 67,000 g/mol? This is 67 kilodaltons (kDa) which is well within the usual range for an enzyme.
 
i get the same, and expect big fat numbers for enzymes (as chemisttree points out)

4 to 1 :)
 

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