On the osmotic pressure of cells.

ABSTRACT: The chemical potential of water () provides an essential thermodynamic characterization of the environment of living organisms, and it is of equal significance as the temperature. For cells, is conventionally expressed in terms of the osmotic pressure (π_osm). We have previously suggested that the main contribution to the intracellular π_osm of the bacterium E. coli is from soluble negatively-charged proteins and their counter-ions. Here, we expand on this analysis by examining how evolutionary divergent cell types cope with the challenge of maintaining π_osm within viable values. Complex organisms, like mammals, maintain constant internal π_osm ≈ 0.285 osmol, matching that of 0.154 M NaCl. For bacteria it appears that optimal growth condition

SUBMITTER: Wennerstrom H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10392628 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature