A sample of red blood cells are placed in an isotonic solution and viewed under a microscope.

Question

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Then, sugar is added to the solution to create a hypertonic solution. The sample is then looked at under a microscope again.

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What happened to the red blood cells after the sugar was added to the solution?
a
The red blood cells released water through osmosis. The release of water helped the blood cells take in more sugar for energy.
b
The red blood cells absorbed water through osmosis. The absorption of water helped the blood cells take in more sugar for energy.
c
The red blood cells released water through osmosis. The release of water helped the blood cells keep a similar concentration of solutes as the outside solution.
d
The red blood cells absorbed water through osmosis. The absorption of water helped the blood cells keep a similar concentration of solutes as the outside solution.

Answer 1

b. The red blood cells absorbed water through osmosis. The absorption of water helped the blood cells take in more sugar for energy.