Question

Blood cells are isotonic with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. What happens if we place blood cells in a solution containing
(i) 1.2% sodium chloride solution ?
(ii) 0.4% sodium chloride solution ?

Answer 1

Answer:

(i) it has more then 0.9% of Nacl solution so it will "shrink"

(ii) it is less than 0.9% of Nacl solution so it will "swell"

Answer 2

The blood cells will shrink in the first case and swell in the second case.

• The 1.2% sodium chloride solution will be hypertonic concerning the 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Therefore, the solution will have a high number of particles in comparison to blood cells.
• Hence, water will move out of the blood cell and it will shrink.
• The 0.4% sodium chloride solution will be hypotonic concerning the 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Therefore, the blood cell will have a high number of particles in comparison to the solution.
• Thus, the water will move inside the blood cell and it will swell.