What can happen to a red blood cell if placed into a solution that is more dilute than its own cell contents?

The red blood cell is an animal cell therefore has no cell wall and will change its shape and seize dependent on the concentrations of solutions around it. When placed in a more dilture solution a red blood cell will have water move into the cell via osmosis. This will cause the inside of the cell to swell up and sometimes burst. Bursting of red blood cell is known as haemolysis. 

MK
Answered by Martha K. Biology tutor

8240 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Cycloheximide inhibits translation. Describe the process of translation.


What is the difference between diffusion, osmosis and active transport?


Antibiotics can be used to protect our bodies from pathogens: What is a pathogen?


List some of the concerns around in utero genetic testing


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences