Question

What is the effect of placing a red blood cell in an isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic solution? Explain.

Answer 1

Question: What is the effect of placing a red blood cell in an isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic solution? Explain

Answer: Solutions in which the solute concentration is greater outside the cell than inside are called hypertonic solutions (less water concentration). A hypertonic solution has a greater osmolarity than the red blood cells. If cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, water inside the cells will flow outwards. There is a net movement of water from the inside to the outside of the cell. The cells will lose water and cell-shriveling by osmosis occurs, in red blood cells this process is known as crenation​.

Solutions in which the solute concentration is greater inside the cell than outside are called hypotonic solutions (higher concentration of water). A hypotonic solution has a lower osmolarity than the red blood cells. If cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, water will flows in to the red blood cells resulting an increase in volume of the cell, the intercellular pressure increases and the cells will appear swollen or will burst. In the case of red blood cells, this process is known as hemolysis.

Solutions in which the solute concentration outside the cell is the same as inside are called isotonic solutions. A isotonic solution has the same osmolarity as the red blood cells. If cells are placed in an isotonic solution, they will remain uneffected because there will be no net change in the amount of water in the cell. Hence the cells neither swell nor shrink when placed in this solution.​