a student used water as a medium in a temporary blood stick. he could observe only ruptured cell under microscope. why doese this happen ? plzzzz tell
flash.
When a student used water as a medium in a temporary blood stick and observed under a microscope, they could only see ruptured cells. This is likely because water does not provide the same environment as the body's natural bodily fluids.
In a living organism, blood cells are suspended in a complex mixture of proteins, electrolytes, and other molecules that create an isotonic solution known as plasma. This plasma provides the ideal conditions for maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of blood cells.
When water is used as a medium, it lacks these essential components, leading to a disruption in the osmotic balance. Osmosis is the process by which water moves across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Blood cells have a higher solute concentration than water, which means that water will easily enter the cells through osmosis.
As a result, the water entering the blood cells through osmosis causes them to swell and eventually burst, leading to the observation of only ruptured cells when viewed under a microscope.
To avoid this, a proper medium, such as a buffered saline solution or a specialized mounting medium, should be used when observing blood cells under a microscope. These mediums closely mimic the natural environment of the blood and help maintain the structural integrity and functionality of the cells.