Question

The medium in which a donor organ for transplant is bathed in an isotonic medium, a solution of the same concentration as the cell cytoplasm. Why?

A. The donated organ requires oxygen
B. The organ must take up minerals from the solution
C. The organ is delicate
D. The organ must not lose or gain water

Answer 1

The donor organ is kept in an isotonic medium to prevent it from losing or gaining water, ensuring the preservation of the organ's cells by maintaining osmotic balance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a donor organ is bathed in an isotonic medium, it is essential to maintain the osmotic balance with the cell cytoplasm. The reason for this is to ensure that the organ does not lose or gain water, which would occur if it were placed in either a hypertonic or hypotonic solution. In a hypertonic solution, the organ cells would lose water, leading to dehydration and cell shrinkage. Conversely, in a hypotonic solution, cells would gain water, potentially causing them to swell and burst. An isotonic medium keeps the concentrations of solutes and water the same inside and outside the organ cells, preserving the cells' normal shape and function and preventing cellular damage. Therefore, the correct answer is D. The organ must not lose or gain water