What would happen to a red blood cell if it was exposed to a hypertonic solution?
Select all that apply.
A It would hemolyze.
B It would shrink.
C It would crenate.
D It would expand.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answers are B and C.
When a red blood cell is exposed to a hypertonic solution, the solution has a higher concentration of solutes (such as salts or other substances) compared to the interior of the cell. This difference in solute concentration creates an osmotic gradient that affects the movement of water.
B. It would shrink.
Water moves out of the red blood cell and into the hypertonic solution, following the principle of osmosis. As the water exits the cell, it causes the cell to lose volume and shrink. This is because the cell is trying to reach an equilibrium, and to do so, water exits the cell to balance the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.
C. It would crenate.
Crenation is the term used to describe the process by which a cell shrinks and develops a spiky or “crenated” appearance due to the loss of water. This occurs when a red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution and the osmotic pressure forces water to move out, causing the cell to shrivel and take on a wrinkled shape.
The other options are incorrect because:
A. It would hemolyze.
Hemolysis is the breaking open or rupture of a red blood cell, which typically occurs in a hypotonic solution (where water moves into the cell and causes it to swell and burst). In a hypertonic solution, the cell loses water, so it would not burst.
D. It would expand.
In a hypertonic solution, the red blood cell would not expand. Instead, it would shrink due to the loss of water. Expansion occurs in hypotonic solutions, where water enters the cell and causes it to swell.
In summary, a red blood cell exposed to a hypertonic solution will shrink and may crenate as it loses water to balance the osmotic pressure.