Five dialysis bags constructed of membrane, which is permeable to water and impermeable to sucrose, were filled with various concentrations of sucrose and then placed in separate beakers containing an initial concentration of 0.6 M sucrose solution. At 10-minute intervals, the bags were massed (weighed) and the percentage change in mass of each bag was graphed.
-A patient was involved in a serious accident and lost a large quantity of blood. In an attempt to replenish body fluids, distilled water-equal to the volume of blood lost-is added to the blood directly via one of his veins. What will be the most probable result of this transfusion?
A) It will have no unfavorable effect as long as the water is free of viruses and bacteria.
B) The patient's red blood cells will shrivel up because the blood has become hypotonic compared to the cells.
C) The patient's red blood cells will swell and possibly burst because the blood has become hypotonic compared to the cells.
D) The patient's red blood cells will shrivel up because the blood has become hypertonic compared to the cells.
E) The patient's red blood cells will burst because the blood has become hypertonic compared to the cells.

Question

Five dialysis bags constructed of membrane, which is permeable to water and impermeable to sucrose, were filled with various concentrations of sucrose and then placed in separate beakers containing an initial concentration of 0.6 M sucrose solution. At 10-minute intervals, the bags were massed (weighed) and the percentage change in mass of each bag was graphed. 
-A patient was involved in a serious accident and lost a large quantity of blood. In an attempt to replenish body fluids, distilled water-equal to the volume of blood lost-is added to the blood directly via one of his veins. What will be the most probable result of this transfusion?
A) It will have no unfavorable effect as long as the water is free of viruses and bacteria. 
B) The patient's red blood cells will shrivel up because the blood has become hypotonic compared to the cells. 
C) The patient's red blood cells will swell and possibly burst because the blood has become hypotonic compared to the cells. 
D) The patient's red blood cells will shrivel up because the blood has become hypertonic compared to the cells. 
E) The patient's red blood cells will burst because the blood has become hypertonic compared to the cells.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Distilled water is hypotonic (contains fewer solutes) compared to blood, which means the water will move into red blood cells by osmosis. This will cause the cells to swell and possibly burst, leading to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). Therefore, adding distilled water directly to the blood is not a safe or appropriate way to replenish body fluids.

Five Dialysis Bags Constructed of Membrane, Which Is Permeable to Water