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a) Red blood cell in hypotonic solution e. g. distilled water
Distilled water has a higher concentration of water molecules compared to the red blood cell cytoplasm.
When a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water will move into the cell through osmosis. The cell will swell and burst. Swelling of red blood cell when placed in a hypotonic solution is referred to as haemolysis. The cell is said to be haemolysed.
b) Red blood cell in hypertonic solution
A hypertonic solution has a low concentration of water molecules compared to the red blood cell cytoplasm.
Water will, therefore, be drawn out of the cell into the hypertonic solution. The cell will shrink and become small. The cell is said to be crenated.
The process by which animal cells shrink and become smaller when placed in hypertonic solutions is referred to as crenation.
c) Red blood cell in isotonic solution
When placed in an isotonic solution, the cell remains unchanged. This is because there will be no net in?ow or out?ow of water between the cell and the solution.
Note:
When the cell becomes haemolysed or crenated, its functioning is impaired. This implies that the body ?uids and blood plasma surrounding the cells must be kept at the same concentration as the animal cells.
This will prevent bursting or shrinking of the cells that would otherwise impair their physiology.
The body has a mechanism through which these concentrations are maintained at a nearly same concentration.
Anganifelix answered the question on May 8, 2018 at 12:32
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