Question

Explain why red blood cells can be maintained in an intact state by keeping them in a normal saline solution.

Answer 1

Answer:

The solution is isotonic.

Explanation:

Saline solututions are mixtures of salt and water. In a normal saline solution, red blood cells maintain their shape. This is because the saline solution is isotonic. Essentially it has the same concentration as inside the red blood cell.

The water does not move down a particular gradient, thus the shape remains unchanged.