A red blood cell in a hypertonic solution will appear
shriveled and smaller in size.
When a red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, it means the concentration of solutes (substances dissolved in the solution) outside the cell is higher than inside the cell. To understand how this affects the appearance of the red blood cell, let's explain the process step by step:
1. Red blood cells consist mainly of water and solutes, such as electrolytes and proteins, which are dissolved in it.
2. In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes is higher in the surrounding solution compared to the inside of the cell.
3. Due to the difference in solute concentration, water molecules will tend to move from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the cell) to an area of higher solute concentration (outside the cell). This process of water movement is called osmosis.
4. When a red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water molecules will start to move out of the cell, across its semi-permeable membrane, to dilute the higher concentration of solutes outside.
5. As water leaves the cell, its volume decreases, causing the cell to shrink and lose its normal round shape. The cell membrane starts to wrinkle or crenate.
6. The outside solution appears denser due to the increased concentration of solutes and reduced volume of water.
7. Overall, a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution will appear shrunken or shriveled, as it undergoes water loss through osmosis.
So, to summarize, a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution will appear shrunken or crenated due to water loss caused by the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.