What will happen to a red blood cell rbc), which has an internal ion concentration of about 0.9 percent, if it is placed into a beaker of pure water?
A) The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of the rbc.
B) The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the rbc.
C) The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the rbc.
D) Nothing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The red blood cell has a lower concentration of water molecules than the pure water in the beaker, which is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the cell. Therefore, water molecules will move from the area of higher concentration (beaker) to the area of lower concentration (rbc) by osmosis, causing the cell to swell.

What Will Happen to a Red Blood Cell Rbc), Which