Question

The glycocalyx layer cannot be observed with a light microscope, but its presence can be inferred and its thickness estimated from the resistance to flow of a blood. It was found that the treatment of the vessel with the enzyme heparinase which digests the glycocalyx reduces the resistance by 14 %. The vessel diameter which represents the distance from the endothelial cell surface, equaled 29 micrometers. Using the equation below, to relate the resistance to the vessel diameter, estimate the thickness of the glycocalyx. Assume that vessel diameter is uniform.

Equation: Q= deltaP*pi*r^4/(8*mu*length) <- Poiseuille's Law

Answer 1