Compared with a Cell with Few Aquaporins in Its Membrane,a

Question

Compared with a cell with few aquaporins in its membrane,a cell containing many aquaporins will
A)have a faster rate of osmosis.
B)have a lower water potential.
C)have a higher water potential.
D)have a faster rate of active transport.
E)accumulate water by active transport.

Accepted Answer

Aquaporins are proteins that facilitate the diffusion of water across cell membranes. Therefore, a cell with many aquaporins will have a faster rate of osmosis, as more water molecules will be able to pass through the membrane at a given time compared to a cell with fewer aquaporins. This is because the aquaporins allow water to move down its concentration gradient, from an area of higher concentration (outside the cell) to an area of lower concentration (inside the cell). This movement of water is known as osmosis. The presence of aquaporins does not directly affect a cell's water potential, active transport, or accumulation of water by active transport.