Elements of biology, with special Elements of biology, with special reference to their rôle in the lives of animals elementsofbiolog00buch Year: 1933 A B C Fig. 7.—Effects of different osmotic pressures on the shape of red blood cor- puscles. A, in an isotonic solution the normal shape is retained; B, in a hypotonic solution the corpuscle is distended because of water uptake; C, in a hypertonic solution the corpuscle shrinks because of water loss. Compare with Fig. 6. Maintenance of the normal osmotic pressure within the cell is of very considerable importance in the maintenance of structure
Elements of biology, with special Elements of biology, with special reference to their rôle in the lives of animals elementsofbiolog00buch Year: 1933 A B C Fig. 7.—Effects of different osmotic pressures on the shape of red blood cor- puscles. A, in an isotonic solution the normal shape is retained; B, in a hypotonic solution the corpuscle is distended because of water uptake; C, in a hypertonic solution the corpuscle shrinks because of water loss. Compare with Fig. 6. Maintenance of the normal osmotic pressure within the cell is of very considerable importance in the maintenance of structure and function. It determines the turgidity of the cell and thus influences its shape; it in part determines the amount of free water in the cell and thereby in part determines the fluidity of the protoplasm. We have seen how the reactions in protoplasm are closely linked with its physical properties. Any violent disturbance of the normal os- motic pressure relations between the cell and its surroundings tends to disturb the living processes. In addition to its properties of osmotic pressure, the cytoplasm of the cell has other equally important functions. It contains stored-up materials; it is a reaction medium, a theatre in which chemical and physical changes are constantly occurring; in tgg cells its organiza-
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