In: Chemistry
A cell membrane at 37°C is found to be permeable to Ca2+ but not to anions, and analysis shows the inside concentration to be 0.100 M and the outside concentration to be 0.001 M in Ca2+.
a) What potential difference in volts would have to exist across the membrane for Ca2+ to be in equilibrium at the stated concentrations? Assume that activity coefficients are equal to 1. Give the sign of the potential inside with respect to the outside.
b) If the measured inside potential is +100 mV with respect to the outside, what is the minimum (reversible) work required to transfer 1 mol of Ca2+ from outside to inside under these conditions?