Osmosis in relation to glucose

I'm just making the corrections on my biology end of year exam there is a question worth 4 marks which I'm still not sure about:

"A high concentration of glucose in the blood can harm body cells as a result of osmosis. Explain why.

I got a mark for writing out what osmosis was and entailed, but can someone point me in the right direction?

Reply 1

Revenged

15

suuuuuuseh

I'm just making the corrections on my biology end of year exam there is a question worth 4 marks which I'm still not sure about:

"A high concentration of glucose in the blood can harm body cells as a result of osmosis. Explain why.

I got a mark for writing out what osmosis was and entailed, but can someone point me in the right direction?

High concentration of glucose in the blood draws water out of cells... this is because water is at a higher concentration in the cells than in the blood

Reply 2

WokSz

17

Yes - well more glucose in blood = lower water potential. Therefore, water will leave the cells and enter the blood. This can kill cells and hence reduces metabolism, for example.

Reply 3

quintsy

OP

17

Thanks you two! :smile:

Reply 4

rosegg_015

11

this helped me too