Final answer:
True, a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution will lose water and shrink, due to the higher solute concentration outside the cell compared to the inside.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a hypertonic solution, it will indeed lose water and shrink. This is because the hypertonic environment has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside, resulting in water flowing out of the cell to balance the concentration gradient. This loss of water causes the RBC to shrivel up, in a process often referred to as crenation.
In contrast, an isotonic solution would maintain the RBC's normal shape as the water flow in and out of the cell is equal. Lastly, in a hypotonic solution, an RBC would swell and could burst due to excessive water intake, which is a process known as hemolysis.