Red blood cells are placed into three solutions, each solution a different concentration of NaCl. One solution is isotonic, one is hypotonic and one is hypertonic with red blood cells. Solution A is _______ and solution C is _______ with the red blood cells.
A) hypertonic; isotonic
B) isotonic; hypertonic
C) hypotonic; isotonic
D) isotonic; hypotonic
E) hypotonic; hypertonic

Question

Red blood cells are placed into three solutions, each solution a different concentration of NaCl. One solution is isotonic, one is hypotonic and one is hypertonic with red blood cells. Solution A is _______ and solution C is _______ with the red blood cells. 
A) hypertonic; isotonic 
B) isotonic; hypertonic 
C) hypotonic; isotonic 
D) isotonic; hypotonic 
E) hypotonic; hypertonic

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the red blood cells, so there will be no net movement of water in or out of the cells. Solution B must be isotonic because it has no effect on the red blood cells. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the red blood cells, so water will move into the cells causing them to swell and potentially burst. Therefore, solution C must be hypotonic. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes than the red blood cells, so water will move out of the cells causing them to shrink. Therefore, solution A must be hypertonic.

Red Blood Cells Are Placed into Three Solutions, Each Solution