If a red blood cell (RBC) with an internal environment that is 0.9% ions is placed into a beaker of pure water, what will happen? O The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. O The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. The cell would remain the same size because the solution outside the cell is isotonic.

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### Question 17

**Scenario:**
If a red blood cell (RBC) with an internal environment that is 0.9% ions is placed into a beaker of pure water, what will happen?

**Options:**

- The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC.
- The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC.
- The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC.
- The cell would remain the same size because the solution outside the cell is isotonic.

**Note:** Moving to another question will save this response.

---

### Explanation

In the given scenario, a red blood cell with an internal composition of 0.9% ions is being placed into a beaker containing pure water. This constitutes a different solute concentration inside the cell compared to the external environment. To understand this situation and predict the cell's behavior, consider the following key concepts:

1. **Hypertonic Solution:** The surrounding solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell, causing it to shrink.
   
2. **Hypotonic Solution:** The surrounding solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water moving into the cell, causing it to swell.

3. **Isotonic Solution:** The concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water, and the cell remains the same size.

Given that:
- The internal environment of the RBC is 0.9% ions.
- The beaker contains pure water (0% ions).

We know that pure water is a hypotonic environment relative to the RBC. Therefore, the correct answer is:

**The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC.**

---

### Important Notes

- Always understand the principles of osmosis and the behavior of cells in different solutions.
- Ensure to analyze the concentration differences for accurate predictions on cell behavior.

**Notice:** When transitioning between questions within an online assessment or educational tool, note that moving to another question will save your response.

---
Transcribed Image Text:--- ### Question 17 **Scenario:** If a red blood cell (RBC) with an internal environment that is 0.9% ions is placed into a beaker of pure water, what will happen? **Options:** - The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. - The cell would shrink because the water in the beaker is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. - The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC. - The cell would remain the same size because the solution outside the cell is isotonic. **Note:** Moving to another question will save this response. --- ### Explanation In the given scenario, a red blood cell with an internal composition of 0.9% ions is being placed into a beaker containing pure water. This constitutes a different solute concentration inside the cell compared to the external environment. To understand this situation and predict the cell's behavior, consider the following key concepts: 1. **Hypertonic Solution:** The surrounding solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell, causing it to shrink. 2. **Hypotonic Solution:** The surrounding solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water moving into the cell, causing it to swell. 3. **Isotonic Solution:** The concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water, and the cell remains the same size. Given that: - The internal environment of the RBC is 0.9% ions. - The beaker contains pure water (0% ions). We know that pure water is a hypotonic environment relative to the RBC. Therefore, the correct answer is: **The cell would swell because the water in the beaker is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the RBC.** --- ### Important Notes - Always understand the principles of osmosis and the behavior of cells in different solutions. - Ensure to analyze the concentration differences for accurate predictions on cell behavior. **Notice:** When transitioning between questions within an online assessment or educational tool, note that moving to another question will save your response. ---
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