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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the condition of a red blood cell that has lost water and appears shriveled under a microscope?
A
Aplastic anemia
B
Hemolysis
C
Crenation
D
Sickle cell anemia
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context of the problem: The question is asking about the condition of a red blood cell that has lost water and appears shriveled under a microscope. This is related to osmosis and the effects of hypertonic solutions on cells.
Recall the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. If a red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (higher solute concentration outside the cell), water will move out of the cell, causing it to lose water and shrink.
Define the term 'crenation': Crenation refers to the process where red blood cells lose water and shrink, developing a shriveled appearance due to exposure to a hypertonic solution. This is distinct from other conditions like hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) or sickle cell anemia (a genetic disorder affecting the shape of red blood cells).
Eliminate incorrect options: Aplastic anemia refers to a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, which is unrelated to the shriveling of red blood cells. Hemolysis involves the rupture of red blood cells, not shrinking. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic condition that causes red blood cells to assume a crescent shape, not a shriveled appearance due to water loss.
Conclude that the correct answer is 'crenation': Based on the description of a red blood cell losing water and appearing shriveled, the term 'crenation' best fits the condition described in the problem.