Question

1. although this lab didnt use real cells, we were able to use the water beads to observe what happens within our bodies if our red blood cells are placed in hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic extracellular environments. summarize the findings from your experiment, referring to each type of solution and how the water movement caused changes in the cells.

hypertonic:
hypotonic:
isotonic:

1. a 52 year - old male patient has been admitted to the hospital for severe dehydration due to constant vomiting and diarrhea. this means that the patient’s cells have been depleted of the water that they need to function. the patient is in need of iv fluids. what type of saline solution will you need to administer (hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic)? explain how you came to this decision.

Explanation:

Part 3: Effects of Solutions on Red Blood Cells

Step1: Hypertonic Solution

In a hypertonic extracellular environment (solution with higher solute concentration than the cell), water moves out of the red blood cells via osmosis (water moves from low solute to high solute concentration, or from high water potential to low water potential). This causes the cells to shrink (crenation) as they lose water.

Step2: Hypotonic Solution

In a hypotonic extracellular environment (solution with lower solute concentration than the cell), water moves into the red blood cells via osmosis. The cells will swell as they take in water and may eventually burst (hemolysis) because the cell membrane can't withstand the pressure from the incoming water.

Step3: Isotonic Solution

In an isotonic extracellular environment (solution with the same solute concentration as the cell), the net movement of water across the cell membrane is zero (equal movement in and out). The red blood cells maintain their normal shape and size as there's no net gain or loss of water.

Step1: Analyze Patient's Condition

The 52 - year - old male patient is severely dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea. His cells have been depleted of water, meaning the intracellular environment has a relatively high solute concentration (or low water content) compared to a normal state.

Step2: Determine Solution Type

To rehydrate the patient, we need to give a solution that allows water to enter the cells. An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the cells' interior (in a normal state, but the patient's cells are dehydrated, so isotonic saline (like 0.9% NaCl solution) is used. If we used a hypertonic solution, it would draw more water out of the already dehydrated cells, worsening the dehydration. A hypotonic solution could cause the cells to swell too much. Isotonic saline has a solute concentration similar to that of blood plasma and the intracellular fluid (when the cell is in a normal hydrated state). When we administer isotonic saline, it increases the overall fluid volume in the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, water can then move into the dehydrated cells (since the cells have a relatively higher solute concentration due to water loss) via osmosis, rehydrating them. Also, isotonic saline helps to replace the fluid volume lost through vomiting and diarrhea without causing extreme osmotic imbalances in the cells.

Answer:

• Hypertonic: Red blood cells shrink (crenate) as water exits the cells.
• Hypotonic: Red blood cells swell and may burst (hemolyze) as water enters the cells.
• Isotonic: Red blood cells maintain their normal shape and size (no net water movement).

Part 4: IV Solution for Dehydrated Patient