Question

Red blood cells have a semi-permeable membrane. Which will most likely occur if the red blood cells are placed in a hypertonic solution?

A.
The red blood cells will lose water and decrease in size.

B.
The red blood cells will first lose water, then absorb water.

C.
The red blood cells will first absorb water, then lose water.

D.
The red blood cells will absorb water and increase in size.

Answer 1

A. The red blood cells will lose water and decrease in size.

Because a hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell interior, water moves out of the cells by osmosis through the semi-permeable membrane, causing the cells to shrink (crenate).