What happens to red blood cells placed in a hypertonic solution (such as 5% NaCl)?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Exosmosis causes cellular shrinkage and crenation
- Step 1: A 5% NaCl solution has an osmolarity far higher than 300 mOsm/L. Step 2. Water moves out of the erythrocytes by exosmosis into the concentrated medium, causing the cells to shrink and acquire notched margins (crenation). Answer: Exosmosis causes water to leave the cells, resulting in shrinkage (crenation). Why not the others: Endosmosis and lysis occur in hypotonic media; cells lose water rather than doubling in size; bursting occurs in hypotonic solutions.
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