Question

Which of these describes the condition that will occur, when a human blood cell is placed in a $10$% solution of sodium chloride?

• A. Water will rush into the cell and the cell will burst.
• B. Water will rush out of the cell and the cell will shrivel.
• C. Water will continue to move into and out of the cell with no overall effect upon the cell.
• D. Water will first rush into the cell and then be forced back out again.
• E. Water will rush in, filling the vacuole and making the cell turgid.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Water will rush out of the cell and the cell will shrivel.

A 10% sodium chloride solution is hypertonic to the human blood cell i.e. concentration of the solution is higher outside the cell. This causes a difference in osmotic potential of the solution outside and inside the blood cell. Thus, concentrated solution means water potential is lower outside the cell. Since water moves from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential, water will move out of the cell and the cell will become plasmolysed.

So, the correct answer is 'Water will rush out of the cell and the cell will shrivel'.