
Linear systems 47
2.11 Case Study I: Characterising the frequency depen-
dence of osmo-adaptation in Saccharomyces cere-
visiae
Biology background: Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semi-
permeable membrane (per meable to the solvent, but not the solute), from
the co mpartment c ontaining a low c oncentration (hypotonic) solution to
the one at high concentration (hypertonic). The movement of fluid, while
decreasing the concentration difference, increases the inner pressure of the
hypertonic compartment, thus producing a force that counteracts osmosis;
when these two effects balance each other, the osmotic equilibrium is
reached. Osmosis is particula ...