Q5.  Aquaporins are water channelsthat allow rapid transport across cell membrane. You are interestedin the role that these channels play in cerebral edema (brainswelling) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This channel isexpressed on a type of cell in the brain called an astrocyte whichis responsive to osmotic pressure and helps regulate fluid balancein the nervous system.
A) Describe what happens to astrocytes whenthey are placed in i) hypertonic solutionand ii) hypotonic solution. How might each ofthese conditions impact the activity of the aquaporins?
B) you are interested in designing a drug toblock aquaporins after chronic TBI. Based on the structure of thechannel what structural and chemical properties would be importantto block channel activity (BE SPECIFIC).
