What type of solution leads to the crenation or shrinkage of submerged red blood cells?

What type of solution leads to the crenation or shrinkage of submerged red blood cells?

• A. Hypotonic.
• B. Isotonic.
• C. Hypertonic.
• D. Pure water.

Answer: (C)

Crenation or shrinkage of red blood cells occurs when they are placed in a hypertonic solution. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the red blood cells. When red blood cells are immersed in such a solution, water moves out of the cells through osmosis in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. This loss of water causes the cells to shrink, leading to the crenated appearance. In contrast, a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the fluid inside the cells, causing water to flow into the cells, which would result in swelling and potentially bursting, rather than shrinkage. An isotonic solution would have equal concentrations of solutes inside and outside the cells, maintaining their normal shape without causing any net movement of water. Pure water, being hypotonic, would also lead to swelling, not shrinkage, due to the absence of solutes. Therefore, hypertonic solutions are specifically the cause of crenation in red blood cells.

Crenation or shrinkage of red blood cells occurs when they are placed in a hypertonic solution. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the red blood cells. When red blood cells are immersed in such a solution, water moves out of the cells through osmosis in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. This loss of water causes the cells to shrink, leading to the crenated appearance.

In contrast, a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the fluid inside the cells, causing water to flow into the cells, which would result in swelling and potentially bursting, rather than shrinkage. An isotonic solution would have equal concentrations of solutes inside and outside the cells, maintaining their normal shape without causing any net movement of water. Pure water, being hypotonic, would also lead to swelling, not shrinkage, due to the absence of solutes. Therefore, hypertonic solutions are specifically the cause of crenation in red blood cells.