Red blood cells will swell up and burst when placed in a hypotonic solution such as pure water. Why don’t we swell up and burst when we swim in water that is hypotonic to our cells and body fluids?
I have formulated an answer but I'm not sure it's the right one. I appreciate your help. Thanks. ;)
2007-03-13 10:41:52 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Because our vessels and skin protect our red blood cells from coming to contact with water.
2007-03-13 10:45:36 · answer #1 · answered by Lilly26 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only the skin cells are in contact with water when we bathe or swim, and our skin is covered with "keratin" and oils which are essentially water-proof. After bathing for a while, however, your fingers look wrinkled because you lose this oil and then you do take up water into your skin which wrinkles No cells rupture however, because the skin cells are all locked together by "intercellular bridges"
2007-03-13 10:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because our vessels and skin protect our red blood cells from coming to contact with water.
2007-03-13 11:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by chaingang325 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we're not permeable (we're covered by keratinized tegument), and we have osmoregulatory mechanisms that keep our body fluids at the right concentrations (at the expense of energy).
2007-03-13 10:49:05 · answer #4 · answered by Calimecita 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
cuz of our skin.. skin has thick layer
2007-03-13 10:54:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋