Biology 2e
Biology 2e
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781947172517
Author: Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher: OpenStax
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Chapter 5, Problem 1VCQ

Figure 5.12 A doctor injects a patient with what the doctor thinks is an isotonic saline solution. The patient dies, and an autopsy reveals that many red blood cells have been destroyed. Do you think the solution the doctor injected was really isotonic?

Chapter 5, Problem 1VCQ, Figure 5.12 A doctor injects a patient with what the doctor thinks is an isotonic saline solution.

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Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The type of the solution inserted in the body of the patient, which causes the destruction of the RBCs.

Introduction:

Solutions are of three types depending upon the concentration of solutes. The solution having a high concentration of solutes is called hypertonic solution, the one with less solute is called hypotonic solution and two solutions having equal concentration of solutes is known as an isotonic solution.

Explanation of Solution

The solution which is injected into a patient was not isotonic but hypotonic. A hypotonic solution is the one which has less solute and more solvent (water) concentration. Due to this, the solvent rushes inside the RBC by the process called as diffusion. When the water rushes in the RBCs, the cells swell and burst.

Conclusion

Diffusion of solutes and water takes place from high concentration to low concentration. The RBCs, when placed in the hypotonic solution swell and burst, which causes the destruction of RBCs.

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Students have asked these similar questions
If a doctor injected a patient with what was labeled as an isotonic saline solution, but then the patient died, and an autopsy revealed that several of the patient's red blood cells had burst, such as in the image on the right, would it be true that the injected solution was really isotonic? Why or why not?
In the diagram below, which situation is when the red blood cell is exposed to hypertonic solution? What is happening to the red blood cells in that situation? (a) (b) (c) O c: hemolysis O c; crenation a; hemolysis O a; crenation
In the following diagram, identify the type of solution (hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic) in which each red blood cell is immersed.

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