Question

What happens if RBC's are placed in hyptotonic solution? A solution with lower concentration of solutes than cytosol inside RBC's? What is this result called? What is it called in other cells>

Answer 1

Red blood cells in a hypotonic solution will experience an influx of water due to osmosis, causing them to swell and potentially burst, a process known as hemolysis. Other types of cells undergoing this process are generally said to undergo lysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Effects of Hypotonic Solutions on Red Blood Cells

When red blood cells (RBCs) are placed in a hypotonic solution, the extracellular fluid has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the cytosol inside the RBCs. As a result, water moves into the cells due to osmosis, following its concentration gradient.

This influx of water causes the RBCs to swell and can lead to hemolysis, which means the RBCs burst. For cells other than RBCs, this process is generally referred to as lysis. It is important to note that animal cells, including RBCs, do not have cell walls to prevent them from bursting under such conditions, unlike plant cells which have more protection against lysis due to their rigid cell walls.