Final answer:
A red blood cell will burst, or lyse, when it swells beyond the plasma membrane's capability to expand. In contrast, when excessive amounts of water leave a red blood cell, the cell shrinks, or crenates. Crenation has the effect of concentrating the solutes left in the cell, making the cytosol denser and interfering with diffusion within the cell. The cell's ability to function will be compromised and it may die.
Step-by-step explanation:
When red blood cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, they absorb water, causing them to swell and ultimately burst. This process is known as hemolysis. The correct answer to the question 'Red blood cells whose membranes have burst apart' is therefore (b) Hemolyzed cells. In contrast, red blood cells in an isotonic solution maintain their normal shape and volume as the water exchange is balanced, and in a hypertonic solution, they lose water and shrink, a process called crenation.