Osmosis and Tonicity experiment: Red blood cells prefer an isotonic (isosmotic) environment. What happens to red...

Osmosis and Tonicity experiment:

Red blood cells prefer an isotonic (isosmotic) environment. What happens to red blood cells place into a hypertonic (hyperosmotic) environment? Why is that bad for a patient?

What happens to red blood cells placed into a hypotonic (hypoosmotic) environment? Why is that bad for a patient?

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When a red blood cell is place in hypertonic (hyperosmotic) environment, water from red blood cell will move into the environment as water moves from area of high water content to low water content.
This will leads to shrinkage of the red blood cell. It is also known as crenation.
- This is bad for patient because, the shape of RBC is disrupted and also the oxygen carrying capacity is reduced.
- The patient may develop many health complications due to low oxygen availability in the blood.
When a red blood cell is place in hypotonic (hypoosmotic) environment, water from the environment will move into the red blood cell as water moves from area of high water content to low water content.
This will cause red blood cell to swell. Eventually, the cell will burst.
- This is bad for patient because, bursting of red blood cells (cell lysis) cause loss of RBCs from the blood. Lack of RBCs may develop anemia, metabolic disorders and other complications.

Sydney Mullin answered 1 year ago

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