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When RBCs are exposed to _______ or ______ solutions, their cell membranes stay intact and will cause the solution to be ___/.

a) Hypotonic; Hemotonic; Hypertonic
b) Isotonic; Hypertonic; Isotonic
c) Hypertonic; Hypotonic; Isotonic
d) Hypotonic; Hypertonic; Hypotonic

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Red blood cell membranes react to different solutions based on osmolarity: they maintain shape in isotonic solutions and may swell or shrink in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions, respectively. The correct answer is (b) Isotonic; Hypotonic; Isotonic.

Step-by-step explanation:

When red blood cells (RBCs) are exposed to different solutions, their membranes react in distinct ways depending on the osmolarity of the surrounding solution:

  • Isotonic solution: RBCs will retain their normal shape as the flow of water in and out of the cells is balanced.
  • Hypotonic solution: RBCs will swell and may rupture because water enters the cells faster than it leaves, diluting their contents.
  • Hypertonic solution: RBCs will shrink or shrivel as water leaves the cell, diluting the surrounding environment.

The correct answer to the question is (b) Isotonic; Hypotonic; Isotonic. When RBCs are exposed to isotonic or hypotonic solutions, their membranes stay intact and will cause the solution to be isotonic.

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