Red blood cells were placed in a solution of 1.2 % NaCl. W e should expect
A) The rbcs swell because this solution is hypertonic
B) The rbcs swell because this solution is hypotonic
C) The rbcs shrink because this solution is hypertonic
D) The rbcs shrink because this solution is hypotonic
E) The rbcs neither shrink nor swell because this solution is isotonic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The solution of 1.2% NaCl is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of red blood cells (RBCs), which typically have a lower concentration of solutes. When RBCs are placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cells into the surrounding solution to balance the solute concentration, causing the cells to shrink.

Red Blood Cells Were Placed in a Solution of 1