What is the biochemical significance of submerging blood cells in varying concentrations of NaCl solution?

Answer 1

As far as i think,it is to maintain the pH so that the plasma,white blood cells,platelets would nt get destroyed..also,NaCl is used in most cases to preserve organic matter since blood is also organic,may be they submerge blood cells in them,it may be for maing specimens or future study..

hope this helps

Answer 2

When we submerge blood cells in varying concentrations of saline solution (NaCl) , we are trying to test the osmotic fragility of the cells (OFT). Any abnormal result will indicate blood dyscrasia, like hereditary spherocytosis and thalassemia. etc. Cells which are spherical in shape expand readily and can take in saltier water without causing the cell to rupture, while normal red cells cannot because they are concave on both sides). Spherical cells have increased osmotic fragility. On the other hand, cells that are flatter than normal have a greater capacity to expand therefore have a decreased osmotic fragility. The clinical/biochemical significance therefore of this test is to determine whether the patient is suffering from thalassemia or
hereditary spherocytosis, which are red blood cell diseases.

Answer 3

Blood cells will shrivel up if the concentration of NaCl of the water is greater the the concentration inside the blood cell. If the concentration of NaCl is less than the contents of the cell, the cell will explode (the technical term is lyse).

In both cases, water diffuses from high water concentration (low NaCl concentration) to lower water concentration (higher NaCl concentration).

If the concentration of NaCl in the water is equal to the NaCl concentration inside the cell, nothing Will happen.

Answer 4

NaCl - Saline...
A saline solution is used to rehydrate patients who have a low fluid level.

The concentration of sodium chloride effects the osmotic pressure of the cells. Too little salt and the pressure inside the red blood cells is greater than the membrane can tolerate and the red blood cells would explode. Having the wrong salt concentration would kill a person.

Answer 5

There are a couple of things that come to mind. One is to determine the osmolality inside of the cells. If the concentration of salts outside of the cell is less than the concentration of chemicals inside of the cell, water will enter the cell (perhaps causing it to rupture), if the concentration of salt outside is equal to the concentration of chemicals inside there will be an equal exchange of water entering and leaving the cell. If the concentration of salt outside of the cell is greater than the concentration of chemicals (proteins, salts, carbohydrates, fats etc) inside of the cell then water will leave the cell and it will shrink.
One other possibilty is the chloride shift where the chloride ion is exchanged for the bicarbonate ion. Chloride in bicarb out and bicarb in and chloride out. This occurs in the transportation of CO2 in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3-1).