Chapter 10, Problem 74E

Erythrocytes are red blood cells containing hemoglobin. In a saline solution they shrivel when the salt concentration is high and swell when the salt concentration is low. In a 25°C aqueous solution of NaCl, whose freezing point is −0.406°C, erythrocytes neither swell nor shrink. If we want to calculate the osmotic pressure of the solution inside the erythrocytes under these conditions, what do we need to assume? Why? Estimate how good (or poor) of an assumption this is. Make this assumption and calculate the osmotic pressure of the solution inside the erythrocytes.