Question

Red blood cells' normal salt content is 0.9%. Which of the following salt solutions will be a hypotonic solution to the RBC?

a) 0.5%
b) 0.9%
c) 1.5%
d) 2.0%

Answer 1

A hypotonic solution has a lower salt content than the red blood cells, causing water to move into the cells through osmosis. Option (a) with a salt content of 0.5% is the hypotonic solution to the RBCs.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hypotonic solution has a lower salt content than the red blood cells, causing water to move into the cells through osmosis. As a result, the RBCs will swell and potentially rupture. To determine which of the given salt solutions is hypotonic, we need to compare their salt concentrations with the normal salt content of 0.9%.

Option (a) with a salt content of 0.5% is hypotonic because it has a lower concentration than the RBCs. Option (b) with a salt content of 0.9% is isotonic, meaning it has the same concentration as the RBCs. Options (c) and (d) with salt contents of 1.5% and 2.0% respectively are hypertonic, having higher concentrations than the RBCs.

Therefore, option (a) with a salt content of 0.5% is the hypotonic solution to the RBCs.