A red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. What happens?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. It swells and may burst as water enters by osmosis
- Step 1: A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell. Step 2. Water moves in by osmosis, so the cell swells and may lyse. Answer: It swells and may burst as water enters by osmosis. Why not the others: Shrinking happens in hypertonic solution; membranes are permeable to water.
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