Question

What happens when we place the blood cell in water (hypotonic solution)? Give reason.

Answer 1

Let’s define ‘hypotonic solution’ first. A hypotonic solution is a solution where the concentration of solute is low, which translate to a high water concentration.

Hence, if a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water would naturally enter the cell through osmosis as the concentration of water in the RBC is lower. Since the RBC does not have any cell wall to maintain cell rigidity and shape, it will expand due to the entry of water until it eventually burst.