Question

In the following diagram, identify the type of solution (hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic) in which the red blood cells are immersed.

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Understand the concept of tonicity. Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes outside the cell compared to inside the cell, which affects the movement of water across the cell membrane by osmosis. Step 2: Analyze the first image (left). Water molecules (blue dots) are moving out of the red blood cell, causing it to shrink. This indicates that the solution outside has a higher solute concentration than inside the cell, so water moves out to balance the concentration. This is a hypertonic solution. Step 3: Analyze the second image (middle). Water molecules are moving into the red blood cell, causing it to swell. This means the solution outside has a lower solute concentration than inside the cell, so water moves in. This is a hypotonic solution. Step 4: Analyze the third image (right). There is no net movement of water into or out of the red blood cell, and the cell maintains its normal shape. This means the solute concentration inside and outside the cell is equal. This is an isotonic solution. Step 5: Summarize the identification: The shrunken cell corresponds to a hypertonic solution, the swollen cell corresponds to a hypotonic solution, and the normal cell corresponds to an isotonic solution.

In the following diagram, identify the type of solution (hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic) in which the red blood cells are immersed.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Osmosis and Water Movement

Tonicity of Solutions

Effects of Tonicity on Red Blood Cells