Question

hemolysis means ________.
a swelling of cells
b shrinking of blood cells
c diffusion of cells into blood
d bursting of blood cells

Explanation:

Hemolysis is the process where red blood cells (erythrocytes) burst, typically due to osmotic imbalances (e.g., when placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, causing it to swell and eventually burst). Option A is cell swelling (which can lead to hemolysis but is not hemolysis itself), B is crenation (shrinking of blood cells in a hypertonic solution), and C is incorrect as it does not describe diffusion of cells into blood. Only D accurately defines hemolysis.

Answer:

D. bursting of blood cells