Question

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

1) Hypotonic solution
2) Hypertonic solution
3) Isotonic solution
4) None of the above

Answer 1

To answer your question, red blood cells undergo crenation in a hypertonic solution. When the solution surrounding the red blood cells has a higher concentration of solutes than the inside of the cells, water moves out of the cells, causing them to shrink and form a crenated or wrinkled appearance. So, the correct answer is option 2) Hypertonic solution.

Answer 2

Red blood cells will crenate in a hypertonic solution due to the higher solute concentration outside the cell, which causes water to flow out of the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

The red blood cells will undergo crenation when they are placed in a hypertonic solution. In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cells is higher than inside, causing water to flow out of the cells. This results in the red blood cells shrinking as water leaves the cell, leading to crenation. Contrary to this, in a hypotonic solution, red blood cells would swell and could burst, a process known as hemolysis. And in an isotonic solution, red blood cells would retain their normal shape because the solute concentration is balanced, resulting in an equal flow of water in and out of the cells.