0
Crenation is the contraction of a cell after exposure to a hypertonic solution, due to the loss of water through osmosis. The word is from the Latin "crenatus" meaning scalloped or notched, and is named for the scalloped-edged shape the cells take on when crenated.
Crenation occurs because in a hypertonic environment, (that is, the cell has a lower concentration of solutes than the surrounding extracellular fluid), osmosis (the diffusion of water) causes a net movement of water out of the cell, causing the cytoplasm to decrease in its volume. As a result the cell shrinks and forms abnormal notchings around its edges.
The effects of crenation are especially visible in red blood cells, or erythrocytes, as they become distorted in shape rather than maintaining the usual disc-like shape with the dimple that the blood cell normally has. Instead, the red blood cell looks as if it has legs extending from a smaller central area, like a spiked ball.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the term used to describe a type of solution in which cells will lose water to their environment?
Cells immersed in hypertonic solutions lose water and shrink, or crenate.
What would happen to your cells if the fluid outside our cells became hypertonic?
If the fluid outside the cells becomes hypertonic, water will flow out of the cells through the process of osmosis. This will cause the cells to shrink and dehydrate, potentially leading to cell damage or even cell death in severe cases.
What would happen to fresh water amoeba if placed in salty water?
Freshwater amoeba placed in salty water would experience water leaving their cells through osmosis, leading to dehydration, shrinkage, and eventually cell death. The high salt concentration outside the amoeba would create a hypertonic environment, causing water to flow out of the cell to try to balance the concentration difference.
What would happen to a blood cell placed in a hyper tonic salt solution?
A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic salt solution will lose water and shrink due to the higher concentration of salt outside the cell. This process is known as crenation, and it can ultimately lead to the cell's death if the condition is not corrected.
Effects of tonicity on hemolysis of red blood cells?
Hypotonic solutions cause red blood cells to swell and burst (hemolysis) due to water entering the cell to reach equilibrium. Isotonic solutions maintain cell shape and prevent hemolysis as there is no net movement of water in or out of the cell. Hypertonic solutions cause red blood cells to shrink and crenate due to water leaving the cell, also preventing hemolysis.
What type of leaf edge is toothed?
crenate
What does the word crenate mean when used in regards to cells?
shrink
When the cytoplasm of a red blood cell has lost water to its surroundnding the cell is said to be?
Crenate
Does the plasma membrane seek to equalize the concentration?
yes it controls the concentration so the cell doesnt crenate or burst
What is the term used to describe the type of solution in which cells will lose water to their environment?
Cells immersed in hypertonic solutions lose water and shrink, or crenate.
What will happen if one of your red blood cells is placed in an environment with a lot of salt?
The water will flow out of the cell into the hypertonic solution and the red blood cell will crenate (crush).
What is the term used to describe a type of solution in which cells will lose water to their environment?
Cells immersed in hypertonic solutions lose water and shrink, or crenate.
If a cell dropped into a solution of hypertonic salt water the cell will?
The cell will crenate. Due to osmosis, the fluid from inside the cell will shift to an area of greater osmolarity, thereby establishing equilibrium with its environment.
Is a hypertonic solution is one with low solute concentration?
No, a hypertonic solution is one with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water will leave the cell, causing it to shrink or crenate.
Urine is from extracellular fluid?
Yes. Urine is intravascular fluid. That said the body can crenate cells to create intravascular fluid from intracellular fluid. This usually is short term but common in chronic dehydration. Elevated K+ in a malnourished person is hallmark of cellular dehydration.
Would hypertonic or hypotonic blood serum cause hemolysis?
If a cell is placed into a hypotonic solution, the water will flow into the cell causing it to swell and possibly lyse. If a cell is placed into a hypertonic solution, the water will flow out of the cell causing it to crenate. So hemolysis occurs when the red blood cells lyse.
Does 2 percent NaCl cause crenation or hemolysis in red blood cells?
2% NaCl is hypertonic to red blood cells causing them to shrink and crenate due to water moving out of the cells by osmosis. Hemolysis is likely to occur in hypotonic solutions where red blood cells swell and burst.
