Mammalian blood contains the equivalent of 0.15 M NaCl. Seawater contains the equivalent of 0.45 M NaCl. What will happen if red blood cells are transferred to seawater?
A) Water will leave the cells, causing them to shrivel and collapse.
B) NaCl will be exported from the red blood cells by facilitated diffusion.
C) The blood cells will take up water, swell, and eventually burst.
D) NaCl will passively diffuse into the red blood cells.
E) The blood cells will expend ATP for active transport of NaCl into the cytoplasm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concentration of NaCl in seawater is much higher than in mammalian blood. Therefore, when red blood cells are transferred to seawater, water will leave the cells due to osmosis, causing them to shrivel and collapse.

Mammalian Blood Contains the Equivalent of 0