When Sodium Ions Enter a Cell

Question

When sodium ions enter a cell
A) osmotic pressure of the cell increases.
B) water molecules accompany sodium ions.
C) the cell becomes swollen.
D) all these.
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

When sodium ions enter a cell, the osmotic pressure inside the cell increases because the concentration of solutes inside the cell becomes higher. This osmotic pressure difference causes water molecules to move into the cell to balance the concentration gradient, often accompanying the sodium ions. As a result, the cell may become swollen due to the influx of water, leading to all the mentioned effects occurring simultaneously.