A scientist compares two cells, Cell A and Cell B, and notes that Cell B has a higher phospholipase C content than Cell A. Assuming no other factors are affecting this pathway, what can be said about the likely concentration of Ca2+ in Cell B compared to Cell A?

Question

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

I believe that calcium concentration would  would become higher.  Is this correct?

anonymous · Answer

@aaronq

aaronq · Answer

assuming that $Ca^{2+}$ is a cofactor for phospholipase C, then yes

anonymous · Answer

BUT, wouldn't the calcium ions in the cells remain the same, but the calcium ions in the cytosol increase.

anonymous · Answer

Because the ER is part of the cell (cytoplasm).  This is what confused me.

aaronq · Answer

well the ER is not part of the cytoplasm, it's an organelle all on it's own. 

If I understand correctly, were comparing $[Ca^{2+}]$ between two cells, right?

one that has a higher concentration of an enzyme (that probably uses this ion). 

If theres a higher concentration of this enzyme and it needs this ion to function, then the concentration should be higher in the cytoplasm (or wherever the enzyme is present)

anonymous · Answer

HEY!