Human red blood cells contain 0.9% sodium chloride as a component of their cytoplasm. What would happen if an IV solution containing 1.5% sodium chloride is introduced into a person? a The red blood cells will first lose water across their cell membrane, then absorb water across their cell membrane. b Their red blood cells would absorb water across their cell membrane and begin to swell. c The red blood cells would first absorb water across their cell membrane, then lose water across their cell membrane. d Their red blood cells would lose water across their cell membrane and begin to shrink.

Answer 1

The correct answer is d: Their red blood cells would lose water across their cell membrane and begin to shrink.

Here's the explanation: A 1.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution is hypertonic compared to the 0.9% sodium chloride concentration found in human red blood cells. When red blood cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cells to balance the concentration of solutes outside the cells. This process leads to the red blood cells losing water and shrinking, a phenomenon known as crenation.