Question

passive cellular transport assignment - teacher edition

1. the image below shows red blood cells placed in three different solutions - hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic.

a) label each sample of red blood cells with the terms hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic to show the type of solution they have been placed in.
b) explain the effect of each type of solution on the red blood cells:

• hypotonic
• hypertonic
• isotonic

Explanation:

a) In a hypotonic solution, water moves into the red - blood cells causing them to swell; in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the red - blood cells causing them to shrink; in an isotonic solution, there is no net movement of water and the cells maintain their normal shape. Without seeing the specific details of the cells in the image, if the cells are swollen, they are in a hypotonic solution; if shrunken, in a hypertonic solution; if normal - shaped, in an isotonic solution.
b) Hypotonic: Water enters red - blood cells due to higher solute concentration inside the cells compared to the outside. This can cause the cells to burst (hemolysis). Hypertonic: Water leaves red - blood cells as the solute concentration outside is higher than inside, leading to cell shrinkage (crenation). Isotonic: There is no net water movement as the solute concentration is the same inside and outside the cells, so the cells maintain their normal volume and shape.

Answer:

a) Without seeing the image clearly, cannot label precisely. But if cells are swollen: hypotonic; if shrunken: hypertonic; if normal: isotonic.
b) Hypotonic: Cells may swell and burst. Hypertonic: Cells shrink. Isotonic: Cells maintain normal shape.