Crenation and hemolysis A cell placed in a hypertonic solution will shrink in a process called crenation. A cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell in a process called hemolysis. To prevent crenation or hemolysis, a cell must be placed in an isotonic solution such as 0.9% (m/v) NaCl or 5.0% (m/v) glucose. This does not mean that a cell has a 5.0% (m/v) glucose concentration; it just means that 5.0% (m/v) glucose will exert the same osmotic pressure as the solution inside the cell, which contains several different solutes. Part D

Question options:

A red blood cell is placed into each of the following solutions. Indicate whether crenation, hemolysis, or neither will occur.

Solution A: 3.21% (m/v) NaCl

Solution B: 1.65% (m/v) glucose

Solution C: distilled H2O

Solution D: 6.97% (m/v) glucose

Solution E: 5.0% (m/v) glucose and 0.9%(m/v) NaCl

Crenation: A, D, E

Hemolysis: B, C

Explanation:

Crenation is an osmotic process in which blood cells shrink while placing hypertonic or alkaline solutions.

Crention caused by these hypertonic solutions.

A: 3.21% (m/v) NaCl  (more solutes)  

D: 6.97% (m/v) glucose (more solutes)

D:  5.0% (m/v) glucose and 0.9%(m/v) NaCl  (more solutes)

Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells in which cells bloat up and may explode while placing in a hypotonic solution.

Hemolysis caused by these hypotonic solutions.

B: 1.65% (m/v) glucose

C: distilled H2O