Why do erythrocytes swell and burst when placed in water?

A. Since water concentration is higher outside the cell, water moves inward by passive diffusion.
B. Since hemoglobin concentration is higher inside the cell, hemoglobin moves outward by exocytosis.
C. Since potassium ions are more concentrated inside the cells, potassium ions move outward by osmosis.
D. Erythrocytes pump water inward by active transport to balance osmotic gradients.
E. Water is a universal solvent and simply dissolves the erythrocyte membranes.

A. There is more sodium inside the cell than outside. There is a saying that "water follows salt". It is found in the case of osmosis and the semipermeable membrane around the cell. In this case there is more salt inside so water will move inside. The cell can break with too much water.

Answered by jayolmsted | 2024-06-10

Erythrocytes swell and burst when placed in pure water due to osmosis, where water moves from an area of low solute concentration (the water) to an area of high solute concentration (inside the cell). This influx of water causes the cell to swell until it may rupture, a process known as hemolysis. The correct answer is A.
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Answered by jayolmsted | 2024-09-27