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Osmosis is a type of passive transport when a solution of higher concentration of something flows to an area of lower concentration. An animal cell has a certain percentage of water, and when it is placed in water (100% water) the water will automatically, through osmosis, flow into the cell. The cell cannot take this volume of water rushing in, and it ruptures.
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LaoRed blood cells in a hypotonic (lower concentration) environment like fresh water will take in excess water through osmosis, causing them to swell and eventually burst. This process, known as hemolysis, occurs because the water concentration inside the cell is higher than the surrounding environment, leading to an imbalance in osmotic pressure and cell rupture.
Red blood cells are surrounded by plasma. The concentration of water, salts, sugars, and other particles is kept balance by osmosis. If red blood cells were but in pure (fresh) water, water molecules would flood into the cells and cause them to burst.
If red blood cells were to be put into a salty solution, the concentration of water molecules inside the cell is higher than the concentration of water outside. This causes water to move out of the cell and the cell to shrivel up.
Information take from:
Holt Science & Technology;
Life Science;
Chapter 4: The Cell In Action
Section 1: Exchange With The Environment
Page 91: The Cell and Osmosis
the processe is called osmosis, the cell bursts because the solution inside the cell is more concentrated than the fresh water, so the the water diffuses in to the cell until the cell bursts.
osmosis means - the movement of water particles from an area where there is lots of them to an area where there is less of them through a partially permeable membrane.
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If you put a red blood cell into pure water it will swell and burst why is this?
This is because the red blood cell is hypertonic compared to the pure water, meaning it has a higher solute concentration. Water will move into the cell to try to equalize the concentration gradient, causing it to swell and eventually burst in a process called osmosis.
The diffusion of water into a cell by osmosis results in a buildup of what?
The diffusion of water into a cell by osmosis results in a buildup of water content within the cell, potentially causing it to swell or burst if not regulated by the cell's mechanisms.
What would happen if you received a transfusion of distilled water?
Receiving a transfusion of distilled water can lead to hemolysis, where the red blood cells burst due to the change in osmotic pressure. This can result in organ damage, including kidney failure and potentially be life-threatening. It's crucial that transfusions are of the appropriate type and composition to avoid complications.
What would happen to a red blood cell if pure water was administered intravenously?
If pure water is administered intravenously, red blood cells would swell and eventually burst due to osmosis. This process is known as hemolysis. It can lead to serious complications, such as kidney damage and electrolyte imbalances, and can be life-threatening.
A cell contains 3 percent salt and 97 percent water How would this cell respond if placed in a distilled water solution?
The cell would undergo the process of osmosis, where water molecules move from the area of higher concentration (the distilled water solution) to the area of lower concentration (inside the cell). This would cause the cell to expand and potentially burst due to the influx of water.
