Question

Why is osmosis important in red blood cells?

Answer 1

Osmosis:

1. The spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a high water potential to a low water potential region in the presence of a selectively permeable membrane in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides, is known as osmosis.
2. Red blood cells placed in a solution with a higher water concentration than their contents (e.g. pure water) can swell up and burst due to osmosis.
3. Water will diffuse from a higher concentration of water outside the cell to a lower concentration of water inside the cell.
4. Osmosis plays a crucial function in Red Blood Cells (RBCs) by:

(1) Stabilizing a cell's internal environment.

(2) Water and other intracellular fluids are kept in check.

(3) Osmosis is the transport of nutrients and minerals into cells, which is required for cell viability.