A red blood cell in a hypertonic solution will appear
A. Swollen
B. Shrunken
C. Normal
B. Shrunken
B. Shrunken
To determine the appearance of a red blood cell (RBC) in a hypertonic solution, we need to understand what hypertonic means. In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes (particles) outside the cell is higher than inside the cell. This creates a concentration gradient that affects the cell.
In the case of a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution, water molecules will move out of the cell (osmosis) to equalize the concentration on both sides of the cell membrane. The movement of water from inside the cell to outside the cell causes the cell to shrink.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. Shrunken.