If cells are placed in a bathing solution that is isomotic b

If cells are placed in a bathing solution that is isomotic but contains a solute that is permeable, hemolysis may occur. Why? The time required for hemolysis to occur is a measure of the degrees of permability of a given solute. Why? Please answer and explain BOTH QUESTIONS. For Animal Physiology.

Solution

1. Isosmotic means that two solutions have the same amount of solutes in a given volume. The factor which determines whether the isosmotic solution will be isotonic or hypotonic with blood is the membrane. For isosmotic solution to be isotonic, the membrane must be equally permeable or equally impermeable to the solutes in both blood and the isosmotic solution. For the isosmotic solution to be hypotonic with blood, the membrane can be permeable to the solute and isosmotic solution causing the solutes to move across the membrane towards the red blood cells while drawing water with it, which causes the haemolysis.

2. The time required for the haemolysis to occur is related to the cell membrane structure because the membrane is semipermeable and the molecular size of the solute particles will result in faster or slower haemolysis time. Small molecules have smaller molecular formula and are able to penetrate the cell membrane more easily. Thus, the time for haemolysis will be less as compared to large molecular size solutes.