My question pertains to what happens to red blood cells in various solutions and why. I have found everything except what happens to a red blood cell placed in physiological saline and why. Anyone know?
Finally found it. In case anyone is wondering, the RBCs would remian stable because it is an isotonic solution meaning that it is the same on both sides of the membrane; there is no gain or loss of water and cells would neither shrink nor swell.
When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a physiological saline solution, which is a solution containing a concentration of salt similar to that found in our body fluids, a specific process called osmosis occurs, leading to a predictable outcome.
To understand what happens, it's important to know about osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules, in this case, water, through a semipermeable membrane to attain equilibrium. A semipermeable membrane allows water molecules to pass through but restricts the passage of other solute particles, such as salt.
In the case of a red blood cell, its membrane acts as a semipermeable membrane. The main chemical constituent of the membrane is a lipid bilayer, which prevents the free passage of solutes while allowing water to move in and out.
When a red blood cell is placed in a physiological saline solution, the concentration of salt outside the cell is similar to that inside the cell. This means there is no concentration gradient across the cell membrane, and therefore, no net movement of water through osmosis occurs. Consequently, the cell retains its original shape and size, without significant changes.
In simple terms, when an RBC is placed in physiological saline:
1. The concentration of salt is the same inside and outside the cell.
2. There is no net movement of water through osmosis.
3. The cell remains intact and maintains its original shape and size.
It's worth noting that RBCs can behave differently in solutions with higher or lower salt concentrations. In solutions with a higher salt concentration (hypertonic solution), water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink or crenate. Conversely, in solutions with a lower salt concentration (hypotonic solution), water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst or lyse.
Understanding osmosis and the concept of concentration gradients helps explain why red blood cells behave the way they do in different solutions.