[Campbell Biology P.190] A red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will be t... | Practice Question

A red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will be the immediate effect on the cell, and how does the free water concentration inside and outside the cell compare?

  • A: The cell will swell as water moves in; the free water concentration outside is higher than inside.
  • B: The cell will shrink as water moves out; the free water concentration outside is lower than inside.
  • C: The cell will remain unchanged; the free water concentrations inside and outside are equal.
  • D: The cell will burst as water moves in; the free water concentration inside is higher than outside.

Explanation

In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes outside the cell is higher than inside. This means the free water concentration outside the cell is lower than inside. Water will move by osmosis from the area of higher free water concentration inside the cell to the area of lower free water concentration outside the cell . As water leaves the red blood cell, it will shrink or crenate.