Question

What would happen to a red blood cell (RBC) placed in a solution of high salt concentration?

• A. The cell will resist osmosis due to its non permeable membrane.
• B. The cell will shrink as it loses water to the salt solution.
• C. The cell will stay the same size.
• D. The cell will swell up and burst.

Answer 1

The correct option is B The cell will shrink as it loses water to the salt solution.

The intracellular concentration of the RBC is more dilute or hypotonic compared to the salt solution. Hence, the salt solution acts as a hypertonic solution when compared to the RBC. Therefore, water will move out of the RBC by osmosis and will result in the shrinking of the RBC (water moves from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution).