MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER

S.Y. 2019-2020
SLU School of Medicine

MODULE 1:

CELL AND MEMBRANE PHYSIOLOGY AND

BIOPHYSICS OBJECTIVES

SUBMITTED BY:
GROUP EGGS-MEN (2)

CALIMAG, JEROME JOSE B.

COSALAN, ETHAN JARYL R.
AQUINO, ERINA ANJELICA C.
BALLOG, DIVINE KATE C.
BALUYAN, MAXINE GRACE F.
BUENCONSEJO, MIRIAM LYN M.
CALBE, AMEERAH G.

AUGUST 15, 2019

1.) DIFFUSION

EXPERIMENT OUTCOMES:

Fig A Fig B Fig C

Figure A displays the reaction of cold water when mixed with methylene blue crystals. Figure B on the
other hand displays the reaction of hot water when mixed with methylene blue crystals. Figure C displays the two
solution, both cold water and hot water mixed with methylene blue crystals,s achieving the same end point.

OBSERVATIONS:

Upon introduction of the methylene blue crystals, it took approximately 12 seconds for
the cold water sample to attain complete coloration. On the other hand, the hot water sample took
approximately 8 seconds to reach the same end point. It can then be assumed that high
temperature hastens the rate of diffusion.

QUESTIONS ON DIFFUSION:

A. What is meant by Diffusion?

Diffusion is the process by which molecules move spontaneously from an area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration.
B. What are the factors that affect the rate of diffusion?
Factors that affect the rate of diffusion are temperature, radius of the molecule, viscosity
of the medium, and the concentration of the gradient.
C. What equation describes the diffusion coefficient for a solute?
The equation that describes the diffusion coefficient for a solute can be given by Fick’s
first law of diffusion as:

C
J = DA ------------
X

Where J is the rate of diffusion per unit time, D is the diffusion coefficient, A is the area where
diffusion is occurring, C is the concentration difference between point A and B, and X is the
distance along which diffusion is occurring.
 D. What is the relationship between molecular radius and diffusion coefficient?
The Stokes-Einstein equation can be used to describe relationship between molecular
radius and diffusion coefficient , given as:

kT
D = ------------
6(pi)rn

Where D is the diffusion coefficient, k is the Boltzmann’s constant, T is the temperature in

Kelvin, r is the molecular radius, and n is the medium viscosity. Based on the equation, as the
molecular radius is increased, the diffusion coefficient decreases, thus, both have an inverse
relationship with each other.

E. What equation relates permeability to diffusion coefficient?

The equation which considers the permeability of a certain membrane of structure in
computing the diffusion coefficient is Fick’s equation, which when derived , gives the
equation:

J=P(C1-C0)

Where J is the flux or rate of diffusion across the membrane, P is the permeability coefficient, C1
is the concentration of the molecule inside the cell, and C0 is the concentration of molecule
outside the cell.

F. What is the relationship between molecular radius and permeability?

In most cases, as the radius of the molecule increases, the permeability decreases. This
can be seen in the previous equations in respect to their relationship with the diffusion
coefficient whereas permeability is directly proportional while molecular radius is
inversely proportional.
G. What is the relationship between oil-water partition coefficient and permeability?
The more lipid soluble the molecule is, the larger the partition coefficient is, and thus the
diffusion coefficient. Therefore the role of the diffusion of the molecule across the bilayer
is also greater. The oil water partition coefficient is directly proportional with the
permeability of the molecule.
H. What are the units of partition coefficient?
Partition coefficient is expressed in units of velocity like centimetres per second.
I. How is partition coefficient measured?
For a molecule that dissolves equally in the fluid bathing the lipid bilayer and in the lipid
bilayer, the partition coefficient is equal to 1. If the molecule dissolves less equally in the
lipid bilayer, the partition coefficient is less than 1. On the other hand, if the molecule
dissolves more easily in the lipid bilayer, the partition coefficient is greater than 1.

2.) OSMOSIS

EXPERIMENT OUTCOMES:
 Fig D Fig E

Fig F Fig G

Figure D displays the red blood cells on slide A which was mixed with distilled water. Figure E displays
the red blood cells on slide B which was mixed with 0.5% NaCl solution. Figure F displays the red blood cells on
slide C which was mixed with 0.9% NaCl solution. Lastly, figure G displays the red blood cells on slide D which
was mixed with 1.9% NaCl solution.

OBSERVATIONS:

In Both slide A(Distilled water) and Slide B(0.5% NaCl solution), the red blood cells
seen are swollen, bigger in size and circular in shape. This is due to the influx of water inside the
cell since the red blood cells are in hypotonic solution.

In slide C (0.9%NaCl solution), the red blood cells are normal in size and discoid in
shape. This is observed since the red blood cells are in isotonic solution meaning in osmotic
equilibrium.

In slide D (1.9% NaCl solution), the red blood cells seen are crenated or shrunken and
smaller in size. This is due to the efflux of water outside the cell.

QUESTIONS ON OSMOSIS:

A. What is osmosis? What is the driving force of osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water across the cell membrane. The driving force of
osmosis is the osmotic pressure difference across the cell membrane.
B. What is osmotic pressure? How is osmotic pressure calculated?
Osmotic pressure is the amount of pressure required to stop osmosis. It is determined by
the number of solute molecules dissolved in solution. It is calculated by the Van’t Hoff’s
Law which is
π=nCRT
n= number of dissociate particles or molcules
 C= total solute concentration
R= gas constant
T= temperature in degree Kelvin
C. What is effective osmotic pressure? How is it calculated?
Effective osmotic pressure is the part of the total osmotic pressure of a solution that
governs the tendency of it’s solvent to pass across a semipermeable membrane. It is
calculated using the fomulaπ=σ ( nCRT ) . σ =osmotic coefficient .
D. What is osmolality? How is it calculated?
Osmolality is the number of molecules dissolved in 1kg of solvent. It is based on the
mOsm ( solute )
mass of the solvent. It is calculated using the formula Osmolality=
1 kg solvent

3.) ADSORPTION AND ABSORPTION

EXPERIMENT OUTCOMES:

Fig H Fig I Fig J Fig K

Figure H shows two flasks with 20 cc of methylene blue each, but with flask A containing one tablespoon of
brown while flask B has an addition of one tablespoon of activated charcoal. Figure I and J both portray the two
solutions undergoing the process of filtration. Figure K then shows the filtrate products from flask A and B.

OBSERVATIONS:

The first filtrate (A) is a dark colored solution while the second filtrate (B) is a clear
solution. In setup A, brown sugar was dissolved in methylene blue and the solution was filtered
after, yielding a dark blue color filtrate. In setup B, activated charcoal was dissolved in
methylene blue and was filtered after, yielding a clear light blue solution filtrate. Activated
charcoal, added on setup B, played an important role in producing a clear filtrate due to its
adsorbent activity.

QUESTIONS ON ADSORPTION AND ABSORPTION:

A. Define adsorption and differentiate from absorption.

Adsorption and absorption are both sorption process.Adsorption is the process in which
atoms, ions or molecules from a substance (it could be a gas, liquid or dissolved solid)
adhere to a substance of the adsorbent while absorption is the process in which a fluid is
 dissolved by a liquid or a solid (absorbent). Absorption occurs when atoms pass through
or enter a bulky material.
B. Give significant therapeutic uses of activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal can interrupt the enterohepatic circulation by absorbing drug in the
gut lumen, thereby preventing reabsorption and enhancing fecal elimination. Orally
administered activated charcoal adsorbs drug in the lumen and effectively leaches drug
from the intestinal circulation into the gut lumen down a diffusion gradient. Activated
charcoal is used as an antidote in some oral toxicities.

4.) CASE STUDY

QUESTIONS:

A. What is the diagnosis for Nathan’s case?

The diagnosis is primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis.
B. What is the normal K+ distribution between intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid?
Where is most of the K+ located?
The major intracellular cation is the K+, so most of our body’s K+ can be found in the
intercellular fluid which ranges at 120-150 mEq/L and at 3.5-5.0 mEq/L extracellularly or
at serum levels.
C. What major factors can alter the distribution of K+ between intracellular fluid and
extracellular fluid?
The K+ distribution can be affected by hormones like insulin, B-adrenergic agonists,
change in blood pH, cell lysis, hyperosmolarity, and strenuous activities just like
Nathan’s exercise. These factors shift the K+ distribution either intracellularly or
extracellularly, causing changes in polarization rates in cells in initiating action potential.
D. What is the relationship between the serum K+ concentration and the resting membrane
potential of excitable cells (ex. Nerve, skeletal muscle)?
In all excitable cells, the membrane at rest is conductive predominantly to K+. The serum
K+ concentration is therefore directly proportional to the resting membrane potential.
E. How does a decrease in serum K+ concentration alter the resting membrane potential of
the skeletal muscle?
As the K+ concentration in serum decreases, hyperpolarization occurs meaning the
resting membrane potential becomes more negative since the concentration gradient
increases across the membrane. Excitable cells such as nerves and muscles has high
RMP, a highly negative RMP will result to periodic paralysis due to the lower potential
of K+ to repolarize due to its low concentration.
F. Propose a mechanism whereby a decrease in the serum K+ concentration could lead to
skeletal muscle weakness.
Potassium (K+) is an essential mineral that has many roles in our body. It helps in
regulating muscle contractions and maintain healthy nerve and also regulate fluid
balance. Since K+ helps regulate muscle contractions, deficiency may result in weaker
contractions.
G. Why did Nathan’s weakness occur after exercise? Why did eating carbohydrates
exacerbate (worsen) the weakness?
 People with hypokalemia have reduced levels of K+ in their blood during episodes of
muscle weakness. Attacks cause severe weakening or paralysis and can be triggered by
factors such as after exercise, a viral illness, or certain medications. Often, large
carbohydrate-rich meal or vigorous exercise in the evening can trigger an attack upon
waking the following morning.
H. How would K+ supplementation be expected to improve Nathan’s condition?
Potassium given during an attack may stop the attack. Potassium can be taken by mouth
but if weakness is severe it may need to be given through a vein (IV). Taking Potassium
supplements may help prevent muscle weakness. The goal of the treatment is to relieve
symptoms and prevent further attacks.

REFERENCES:

Book

Koeppen B.M. & Stanton, B.A. (2018). Berne & Levy Physiology, 7th Edition, pp 10-15.
Principle of Cell and Membrane Function. Elsevier.

Articles

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis-Genetics Home Reference-NIH. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hypokalemic-periodic-paralysis

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/00312.htm

Morris, S.Y. (2018, August 14). Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis: Symptoms, Management, and
More. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/hypokalemic-periodic-paralysis