Multiple Choice
Osmosis is the movement of:
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6. The Membrane
Osmosis
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Which of the following best describes what happens to a red blood cell when placed in a hypertonic solution?
A
The cell swells and bursts as water moves in.
B
The cell divides due to increased internal pressure.
C
The cell remains unchanged because there is no net movement of water.
D
The cell shrinks as water moves out of it.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of tonicity: Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes in a solution outside the cell compared to inside the cell. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside.
Recall the principle 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 to achieve equilibrium.
Analyze the situation: In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the red blood cell is higher than inside. This creates a gradient where water will move out of the cell to balance the solute concentrations.
Predict the effect on the red blood cell: As water moves out of the cell, the cell loses volume and shrinks. This process is called crenation in red blood cells.
Conclude the correct answer: The best description of what happens to a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution is that 'The cell shrinks as water moves out of it.'
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