Question
A student is planning an investigation to determine how the concentration of a solute in a solution affects osmosis and therefore cells. The student uses rat blood cells, which have an NaCl concentration of 0.9% when they are in homeostasis. The steps of the student’s investigation are described below.
Place a drop of blood on a microscope slide.
View the blood under high magnification. Record observations of the general shape and appearance of the blood cells.
Place a drop of 0.9% NaCl solution on the slide. Ensure it mixes with the blood sample.
Wait several minutes, and then view the slide under high magnification. Record any observations.
Using new blood samples, repeat the two steps above using distilled water and 15% NaCl solution instead of the 0.9% NaCl solution.
Which of the following is the best hypothesis for the student’s investigation?
A.
The cells will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, swell in distilled water, and shrink in the 15% NaCl solution.
B.
The cells will shrink in distilled water, stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, and swell in the 15% NaCl solution.
C.
The cells will swell in the distilled water and in the 15% NaCl solution, but they will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution.
D.
The cells will stay the same size in distilled water and in the 0.9% NaCl solution, but they will swell in the 15% NaCl solution.
Place a drop of blood on a microscope slide.
View the blood under high magnification. Record observations of the general shape and appearance of the blood cells.
Place a drop of 0.9% NaCl solution on the slide. Ensure it mixes with the blood sample.
Wait several minutes, and then view the slide under high magnification. Record any observations.
Using new blood samples, repeat the two steps above using distilled water and 15% NaCl solution instead of the 0.9% NaCl solution.
Which of the following is the best hypothesis for the student’s investigation?
A.
The cells will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, swell in distilled water, and shrink in the 15% NaCl solution.
B.
The cells will shrink in distilled water, stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, and swell in the 15% NaCl solution.
C.
The cells will swell in the distilled water and in the 15% NaCl solution, but they will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution.
D.
The cells will stay the same size in distilled water and in the 0.9% NaCl solution, but they will swell in the 15% NaCl solution.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best hypothesis for the student’s investigation is:
**A. The cells will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, swell in distilled water, and shrink in the 15% NaCl solution.**
This hypothesis aligns with the principles of osmosis and the behavior of cells in different saline solutions:
1. In a **0.9% NaCl solution**, which is isotonic to rat blood cells, the cells will maintain their size as the concentration of solute outside the cells is equal to that inside the cells.
2. In **distilled water**, which is hypotonic relative to the blood cells, water will move into the cells causing them to swell.
3. In a **15% NaCl solution**, which is hypertonic, water will move out of the cells resulting in cell shrinkage.
Thus, option A accurately reflects the expected outcomes based on osmotic principles.
**A. The cells will stay the same size in the 0.9% NaCl solution, swell in distilled water, and shrink in the 15% NaCl solution.**
This hypothesis aligns with the principles of osmosis and the behavior of cells in different saline solutions:
1. In a **0.9% NaCl solution**, which is isotonic to rat blood cells, the cells will maintain their size as the concentration of solute outside the cells is equal to that inside the cells.
2. In **distilled water**, which is hypotonic relative to the blood cells, water will move into the cells causing them to swell.
3. In a **15% NaCl solution**, which is hypertonic, water will move out of the cells resulting in cell shrinkage.
Thus, option A accurately reflects the expected outcomes based on osmotic principles.