Question

Base your answers to the questions on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagram represents red blood cells placed in three test tubes, each containing a different salt solution. What can be concluded from the diagram?

1) The red blood cells in test tube 1 will shrink
2) The red blood cells in test tube 2 will remain the same
3) The red blood cells in test tube 3 will swell
4) The red blood cells in all test tubes will burst

Answer 1

The red blood cells placed in different salt solutions will either shrink, remain the same, or swell based on their osmotic pressure and the concentration of solute in the solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagram represents red blood cells placed in three different salt solutions: a hypertonic solution, an isotonic solution, and a hypotonic solution. Based on the information provided, we can conclude the following:

The red blood cells in test tube 1 will shrink: In a hypertonic solution, water flows out of the cells, causing them to appear smaller.

The red blood cells in test tube 2 will remain the same: In an isotonic solution, the amount of water entering and leaving the cells is the same, so they retain their normal shape.

The red blood cells in test tube 3 will swell: In a hypotonic solution, water flows into the cells, causing them to visibly swell and potentially rupture.