Red blood cells placed in distilled water will: a. swell as...

Name: Problem 4, Chapter 3: Human Biology Concepts and Current Issues
Uploaded: 2021-08-20T01:52:58-08:00
Duration: 1 min 15 s
Channel: Joanna Quigley
Description: Red blood cells placed in distilled water will: a. swell as water moves into the cells by osmosis b. shrink as sodium moves out of the cells by diffusion c. swell as water moves into the cells by active transport d. shrink as proteins move out of the cell by diffusion e. remain unchanged because of homeostatic mechanisms

Red blood cells placed in distilled water will: a. swell as water moves into the cells by osmosis b. shrink as sodium moves out of the cells by diffusion c. swell as water moves into the cells by active transport d. shrink as proteins move out of the cell by diffusion e. remain unchanged because of homeostatic mechanisms

Red blood cells placed in distilled water will:
a. swell as water moves into the cells by osmosis
b. shrink as sodium moves out of the cells by diffusion
c. swell as water moves into the cells by active transport
d. shrink as proteins move out of the cell by diffusion
e. remain unchanged because of homeostatic mechanisms

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Key Concepts

Passive Transport vs Active Transport

Passive transport, including osmosis and simple diffusion, involves the movement of substances across membranes without the use of cellular energy, whereas active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradients. Understanding the distinction is crucial to analyzing how cells exchange materials with their surroundings.

Semipermeable Membrane

A semipermeable membrane allows certain molecules, such as water, to pass through while restricting others. This property is fundamental to processes like osmosis and helps explain how cells maintain internal stability in different environments.

Osmosis

Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. It does not require energy input and is driven by the concentration gradient of solutes, making it essential for understanding how water moves in biological systems.

Hypotonic Solutions

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When cells are exposed to a hypotonic environment, water enters the cell by osmosis, potentially leading to swelling or lysis. Recognizing the nature of hypotonic solutions is key for predicting cellular responses to various extracellular conditions.

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