Question

which solution causes a red blood cell to shrivel?
oversaturated
hypertonic
isotonic
hypotonic

Explanation:

• In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the red blood cell is higher than inside.
• Water moves out of the cell by osmosis (from an area of lower solute concentration - inside the cell - to an area of higher solute concentration - outside the cell).
• As water leaves the cell, the cell loses volume and shrivels.
• An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the cell, so there is no net movement of water and the cell maintains its shape.
• A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell, so water moves into the cell, causing it to swell (not shrivel).
• "Oversaturated" is not a standard term used in the context of tonicity for cells in the way these other terms (hypertonic, isotonic, hypotonic) are.

Answer:

B. hypertonic