What is a Membrane Essay Example for Free

What is a Membrane Essay 1. What is a membrane? Membrane is any delicate sheet that separates one region from another blocking or permitting (selectively or completely) the passage of substances. The skin, for example, can be considered a membrane that separates the exterior from the interior of the body; cellophane, used in chemical laboratories to separate solutions, acts as a membrane too. 2. Concerning their permeability how are membranes classified? Membranes can be classified as impermeable, permeable, semipermeable or selectively permeable. An impermeable membrane is that through which no substance can pass. Semipermeable membranes are those that let only solvents, like water, to pass through it. Permeable membranes are those that let solvent and solutes, like ions and molecules, to pass across it. There are also selectively permeablemembranes, i.e., membranes that besides allowing the passage of solvent, let only some specific solutes to pass while blocking others. 3. What is diffusion?  Diffusion is the spreading of substance molecules from a region where the substance is more concentrated to another region where it is less concentrated. For example, during the boiling of water in a kitchen gaseous water particles tend to uniformly spread in the air by diffusion. 4. What is meant by concentration gradient? Is it correct to refer to â€Å"concentration gradient of water†? Concentration gradient is the difference of concentration of a substance between two regions. Concentration is a term used to designate the quantity of a solute divided by the total quantity of the solution. Since water in general is the solvent in this situation it is not correct to refer to â€Å"concentration of water† in a given solution. 5. What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?  Osmosis is the phenomenon of movement of solvent particles (in general, water) from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. Diffusion, on the other hand, is the movement of solutes from a region of higher solute concentration to a region of lower solute concentration. 6. What is osmotic pressure?  Osmotic pressure is the pressure created in an aqueous solution by a region of lower solute concentration upon a region of higher solute concentration forcing the passage of water from that to this more concentrated region. 7.Can solutions with the same concentration of different solutes have different osmotic pressures? The osmotic pressure of a solution does not depend on the nature of the solute, it depends only on the quantity of molecules (particles) in relation to the total solution volume. Solutions with same concentration of particles even containing different solutes exert the same osmotic pressure. 8. How are solutions classified according to their comparative tonicity? Comparative to another, a solution can be hypotonic (or hyposmotic), isotonic (or isosmotic) or hypertonic (or hyperosmotic). When a solution is less concentrated than another the adjective hypotonic is given and the more concentrated is called hypertonic. When two compared solutions have the same concentration both receive the adjective isotonic. So this classification makes sense only for comparison of solutions. 9.Concerning permeability what type of membrane is the cell membrane?The cell membrane is a selectively permeable membrane, i.e., it allows the passage of water and some selected solutes. 10.What are the basic constituents of the cell membrane?  The cell membrane is formed of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. The membrane lipids are phospholipids, a special type of lipid to which one extremity a phosphate group is bound thus assigning electrical charge to this region of the molecule. Since phospholipids have one electrically charged extremity and a long neutral organic chain they can organize themselves in two layers of associated molecules: the hydrophilic portion (polar) of each layer faces outwards in contact with water (a polar molecule too) of the extracellular and the intracellular space and the hydrophobic chains (non polar) face inwards isolated from the water. Because this type of membrane is made of two phospolipid layers it is also called a bilipid membrane. Membrane proteins are embedded and dispersed in the compact bilipid structure. Carbohydrates appear in the outer surface of the membrane associated to some of those proteins under the form of glycoproteins or bound to phospholipids forming glycolipids. The membrane carbohydrates form the glycocalix of the membrane.

Climbing a Tree in A White Heron by Jewett Essay examples -- essays re

Ever since the first person to climb Everest, many courageous people have been climbing, mountains, cliffs, and canons. This one special little girl decides to climb a humble tree creating a new journey for both the girl and the tree. In the passage The White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett the little girl climb a magnificent tree. The author uses languages and selection of details to make the climbing of the tree into a dramatic adventure. The little girl is Sylvia and she is insignificant to the tree. The author made Sylvia into a Hero through the climbing of the tree. First the author talks about the call to adventure. Sarah begins the story with, ?Half a mile from home, at the farther edge of the woods, where the land was highest, a great pine-tree stood, and the last of its generation.? This sentence is a run-on that shows how great this tree is. Also in the passage the author tells us that Sylvia always wanted to know what is like on top of the great tree and that she often laid her hand on the great rough trunk and looking up wistfully at the tree Sylvia?s dramatic adventure beg... Climbing a Tree in A White Heron by Jewett Essay examples -- essays re Ever since the first person to climb Everest, many courageous people have been climbing, mountains, cliffs, and canons. This one special little girl decides to climb a humble tree creating a new journey for both the girl and the tree. In the passage The White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett the little girl climb a magnificent tree. The author uses languages and selection of details to make the climbing of the tree into a dramatic adventure. The little girl is Sylvia and she is insignificant to the tree. The author made Sylvia into a Hero through the climbing of the tree. First the author talks about the call to adventure. Sarah begins the story with, ?Half a mile from home, at the farther edge of the woods, where the land was highest, a great pine-tree stood, and the last of its generation.? This sentence is a run-on that shows how great this tree is. Also in the passage the author tells us that Sylvia always wanted to know what is like on top of the great tree and that she often laid her hand on the great rough trunk and looking up wistfully at the tree Sylvia?s dramatic adventure beg...

Chris Peterson at DSS Consulting Essay

Presentation of the Facts Surrounding the Case The case examines a dispute between Meg Cooke, DSS’s COO and Chris Peterson, newly appointed Southwest Region’s team leader. Cooke appointed Peterson a leadership role for one of the newly structured cross-functional teams designated to create a new integrated budget and planning system. The cross functional teams were tasked with building relationships with existing school districts in their regions and provide them a full range of DSS services and to develop new consulting offerings in response to the district’s needs. (Case 2010) Theses goals were created to facilitate a transition to servicing larger districts rather than the smaller districts, which DSS based it past structure around. Peterson was responsible for creating a successful and efficient team within DSS’s reorganization. The team was responsible for designing and creating an integrated budget and planning system with in a time frame of six months. Cooke was updated of the status and objecti ves of the project periodically. The meeting were short and not effective for either party. After the six month deadline was reached Peterson met with Cooke to provide an update on the status of the project her group had been working on. Cooke decided that Peterson’s project would be discontinued, her team would be reorganized and would not be involved in futures product development. Peterson was convinced that her team and project were excellent. Further examination of the case reveals that there may be significant problems related to the company’s transition and Cooke role as COO. Cooke has several deficiencies in the area of leadership, management style, communication, and teamwork and change management. Regarding Peterson, her exemplary team management and teamwork resulted in group-think, causing her team to lose the ability to make unbiased decisions and effectively evaluate possible risks and alternatives. Identification of the Key Issue(s) Many issued are related to the substantial strategic and organizational changes taking place at DSS. Peterson and Cooke have varied perspectives relating to leadership, management style, communication, teamwork, organizational culture, and change management. Cooke’s leadership is characterized by low regard for creating systems for getting the job done  and for creating a satisfying and motivating work environment. The outcome of such leadership style is disorganization, dissatisfaction and disharmony. Collected evidence suggest that Cooke provided very little leadership to Peterson. Peterson and other associates felt anxious for the uncertainty on how the new organizational strategy would unfold. Cooke was only interested in the outcome of what Peterson and her team were working on at the end of the six month period. Cooke did not pose any questions and did not ask for any status updates throughout the projects duration. When Peterson asked for support for her group and the task they were working on, Cooke did not provide any direct action. Other DSS associates felt that Cooke was playing favorites. Cooke did not involve her employs to feel involved and understand the organizations new purpose and determine the production needs. When employees are committed to and have an interest in the organization success, production and moral typically coincide with positive outcomes. This leads to the organization successfully meeting the designated goals. The ability to have employees buy in to desired goals are promoted by an organizational environment based on trust and respect, which leads to high satisfaction and motivation and, as a consequence, high production. ( MindTools). Cooke gave Peterson the ability to choose her own team members, projects, and location of operations. Cooke did so in a passive manner. In the following follow-up meeting Cooke never expressed any objections to Peterson actions and plans, but when she did present a problem concerning the assistance she required form management and other supporting operations, Cooke dismissed her claims by stating that she would provide the needed help at a later time. Peterson’s behavior and management style influenced her team’s performance, while Cooke’s absence of communication and guidance lead to wasted time and resources on a system that did not meet DSS goals. Listing Alternative Courses of Action That Could Be Taken Better communication needs to be created between mid and upper management. Proper communication will lead to a better understanding of the goals desired. Feedback is provided by upward communication, which makes employees feel involved and can help managers to get employees to understand their concerns (Thrilwall, 2012). Cooke and Peterson communicated scarcely and poorly. No regular meeting were scheduled. When the two did communicate  there was no clear and actionable dialogue. Communication is only successful when both the sender and receiver understand the same information as a result of communication ( MindTools, n.d.) Both Cooke and Peterson should establish regular structured communication. This can be accomplished by setting periodic meetings, written updates via e-mail or memos. These meeting will provide downward communication that will allow information to be dispensed to the team working on the projects in question. These meeting will make Peterson and her team feel mor e involved in the direction of the project and it will also keep Cooke abreast of the attitudes and values of her employees. Cooke can defuse any potential problems before they have a negative impact on the group and the project. Cooke’s could adjust her management style. Her methods when dealing with Peterson and her team lead to confusion. Her managerial control and direction were minimal, due the delegation of direction to Peterson, which allowed her to act with maximum freedom. Peterson was allowed to develop a specific product for a small district regardless of the new DSS strategy to refocus its resources on acquiring larger school districts. Cooke needs to focus on redirecting Peterson and her team to achieving the newly desired mission the organization has set in place. That includes providing a direction and strategy which will integrate the individual and the organization ( Thirlwall, 2012). Peterson displayed her ability to effectively act independently. If Cooke would have provided more control pertaining to the direction Peterson and her group were heading the negative outcome could hav e been avoided. Evaluation of Alternative Courses of Action Better communication needs to be created between mid and upper management. Establishing better communication can provide several benefits for DSS. The first, which would be a necessity for any future DSS strategy to be successful would be team building. Team building can transition an organizations culture from cooperation to collaboration. By establishing team environment employees will feel they are a part of something. The feeling of being involved in something increases the effort employees will place in projects and designated task. Better communication also creates a culture of transparency. When companies encourage employees to communicate honestly without fear of repercussions, transparency will transform from an  ideal to a reality. An environment of honesty promotes respect amongst employees. An increase in communication and honesty can cause increased revenue and innovation. Cooke could adjust her management style. Cooke must be willing to make the needed adjustments to improve her management style. She first needs to understand herself. She has to recognize her flaws, not just in the situation with Peterson but her role in DSS organization. She also has to recognize her strengths. Her ability to identify her strengths and weakness will allow her to build a stronger relationship with her employees. The bonds that she can build with her employees and peers will be reflective of her interpersonal communication skills. This reflection will provide insight into areas in the organization and within herself that require improvement. Cooke will need to continually re-evaluate her management style. Being able to realize what works and what doesn’t is key to being an effective manager ( WordPress, 2009) Recommendation of the Best Course of Action The best course of action is for DSS to create a standard outline for communication prior to and during the lifespan of a project. These guidelines should include timing and require length of meetings, scheduled times for updates via e-mail or in person meetings. Also they should provide the specification for any information that needs to be provided to all person involved in the project in question. The information should be pertinent to the status of the project and personal. Also the supply of information should allow as a segue to any questions or concerns by either party. An open dialogue should be the basis of all communication throughout the projects duration. References MindTools, n.d. Blake Mouton Managerial Grid. Retrieved July 20, 2014 from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_73.htm [Accessed 16 June 2012 MindTools, n.d. Introduction to Communication Skills. Retrieved July 20, 2014 from http://mindtools.com/CommSkll/CommunicationIntro.htm [Accessed 18 June 2012] Organizational Behavior and HRM. Unpublished ed. Emirates Aviation College.Thirlwall, A., 2012. Ineffective leadership in Business, Retrieved from July 22, 2014 btrostle.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/adjusting-your-management-style/

Exxonmobil Social Responsibility in a Commodity Market

ExxonMobil: Social Responsibility in a Commodity Market 1. Consider and discuss the impact of the rising price of petrol on as many other products and services as possible. Petrol is one of the most demanded products on earth. Because of this, not only the petrol prices are rising, but also the prices of those products, that are petroleum related products. In the service sector, the costs for transportation (trucking, air cargo, sea and rail carriers) are rising because of the rising costs of petrol. This makes the transported products also even more expensive. And this is almost every product in the world. So the rising fuel prices affect almost every product we buy. Also the fact that it is a finite material, makes it more†¦show more content†¦So in my opinion, it is not acting responsibly and had more control over the rising prices then we (the consumers) were lead to believe. 4. From the perspective of social responsibility, what role does the consumer play in the price of petrol? The consumer is playing the central role, because the consumer is the one who is demanding. The less consumers demand, the more they will lower the price. From the social responsibility point of view, when a consumer thinks that a company is not acting ethically or socially responsible he or she then could boycott that company and and not buy its products anymore. If a great amount of people would do this, therefore, the whole demand for those companies’ products would be lowered and so would the company’s price for this product do. This is easy said, because the whole world is in need of petrol, but in theory the consumer is the one who creates the demand and so he could control it. 5. How would you â€Å"fix† the problem of rising petrol prices? Consider solutions for different groups including governments, corporations, nonprofit groups, and consumers. What are the advantages and disadvantages of your proposed solutions? From the consumers perspective they should find a way to get together and boycott the products of ExxonMobil to have an influence of their prices. But as above said, it is hard to have an influence on such aShow MoreRelatedExxonmobil: Social Responsibility in a Commodity Market Essay1048 Words   |  5 PagesExxonMobil: Social Responsibility in a Commodity Market Fall 2011 1. Consider and discuss the impact of the rising price of gasoline on as many other products and services as possible. Drivers realize that the price of gas is tied to the market value of crude oil, and has a direct impact to their daily commutes, errands, and vacations. However the reality is that the price of fuel has implications much grater than most consumers realize. 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