2007-12-13 08:31:39 · 2 answers · asked by claire k 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A red blood cell would lyse (burst) because it is in an environment hypotonic to itself. This means that the blood cell contains fluids more concentrated than the distilled water (whose concentration is obviously zero) and therefore the water will diffuse into the cell.
Did you learn that particles and water will move so as to even out concentration? The same thing is happening here. Water moves into the cell so it can decrease its concentration.
2007-12-13 08:37:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sowmya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The red blood cell would burst. Its usual environment is slightly salty. Distilled water would be hypotonic for the red blood cell. More water would diffuse into the cell than the amount of water that leaves the cell. The cell membrane is fairly fragile and would not withstand that kind of pressure from within.
2007-12-13 16:35:31 · answer #2 · answered by ecolink 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋