Question

Which of these solutions will cause red blood cells to undergo hemolysis?

1) 0.9% NaCl
2) 0.1% NaCl
3) 5% NaCl
4) 10% NaCl

Answer 1

A solution of 0.1% NaCl will cause red blood cells to undergo hemolysis because it is a hypotonic solution, where solute concentration is lower outside the cells, leading to water influx and cell swelling and bursting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solution that will cause red blood cells to undergo hemolysis is 0.1% NaCl. Hemolysis is the process where red blood cells swell and burst because more water flows into the cell than out. This occurs in hypotonic solutions, where the concentration of solute outside the cell is lower than inside the cell. A solution of 0.9% NaCl is considered isotonic, leaving the red blood cells unaffected in size and shape. On the other hand, solutions with high NaCl concentration such as 5% and 10% NaCl are hypertonic, resulting in red blood cells undergoing crenation, where they shrink due to the outflow of water.