Question

If a cell is isotonic with a 0.88% nacl solution, how would an extracellular fluid with 1% nacl affect the cell?

Answer 1

Answer: The cell will shrink when kept in 1% NaCl solution.

Explanation: This is explained with the help of osmosis.

Osmosis is a process in which the solvent flow from a solution of low concentration to a solution of high concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

We a given a cell which is isotonic to 0.88% NaCl solution.

When the same cell is kept in a solution of 1% NaCl solution, osmosis will occur from inside to outside because the concentration is low inside the cell than the outside. So, the solvent will flow from inside to outside, which results in the shrinkage of cell. The solutions which have high concentration outside the cell are known as hypertonic solutions.

Answer 2

The extracellular fluid is high in NaCl so the cell would be dehydrated further and the two solutions would equilibrate. Ultimately water would leave the cell and passes to extracellular fluid and equilibrium is reached.