Question

scenario 6:
a dehydrated person at the
hospital is given an iv of saline to
help restore their cells.
q1. tonicity of the solution?
q2. how do the cells respond?
q3. what question could you ask
to confirm?

Explanation:

Q1

Saline (0.9% NaCl) used in IVs is isotonic. Isotonic solutions have the same solute concentration as the cell's cytoplasm, so osmotic pressure is equal inside and outside the cell.

In an isotonic solution, the concentration of solutes (like ions) is equal inside and outside the cell. So, there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane (osmosis). Cells maintain their normal shape and size (no shrinking or swelling) as water moves in and out at equal rates.

To confirm tonicity, we can ask about the solute concentration of the saline relative to the cell's interior. For example, asking about the osmolarity (or solute concentration) of the saline solution compared to the cell's cytoplasm helps verify if it's isotonic (equal concentration, so no net water movement). Another way: Ask what would happen if a different concentration (e.g., hypertonic/hypotonic) saline was used, to contrast and confirm the isotonic nature.

Answer:

The tonicity of the saline solution is isotonic.

Q2