Predict what would happen to a red blood cell placed in each of the following external solutions. Would it shrink, swell, or not change its volume? Explain each answer in ONE sentence.
a. 150 mM NaCl b. 100 mM NaCl plus 50 mM albumin
Erin, the a solution is hypotonic (assuming .9 percent NaCl for plasma). I don't know what the albumin will do)>
To predict the behavior of a red blood cell (RBC) in each external solution, we need to consider the concept of tonicity. A solution can be isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic compared to the inside of the RBC.
a. In a 150 mM NaCl solution, which is isotonic, the RBC would not change its volume because the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell is the same.
b. In a 100 mM NaCl solution plus 50 mM albumin, which is hypertonic, the RBC would shrink because the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher, causing water to move out of the cell by osmosis.