Question

Explain why the storage solution must have the same concentration of solutes as the red blood cells

Answer 1

Answer: Mammalian red blood cells have a biconcave (doughnut-like) shape. If red blood cells are placed in a 0.3 M NaCl solution, there is little net osmotic movement of water, the size and shape of the cells stay the same; the NaCl solution is isotonic to the cell. If red blood cells are placed in a solution with a lower solute concentration than is found in the cells, water moves into the cells by osmosis, causing the cells to swell; such a solution is hypotonic to the cells. When red blood cells are placed in pure water, water rapidly enters the cells by osmosis and causes the cells to burst, a phenomenon known as hemolysis. If the red blood cells are placed in a solution with a higher solute concentration, water moves out of the cell by osmosis, the cell becomes smaller and crenated in shape; such a solution is hypertonic to the cells.