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Multiple Choice
A solution with the same osmotic pressure as the blood is
A
isotonic to the blood
B
hypotonic to the blood
C
hypertonic to the blood
D
nontonic to the blood.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of a solvent into a solution through a semipermeable membrane. It is a colligative property, meaning it depends on the number of solute particles in a solution.
Define isotonic solutions: An isotonic solution has the same osmotic pressure as another solution, typically referring to biological contexts like blood. This means that the concentration of solute particles is equal on both sides of the membrane, preventing net movement of water.
Compare with hypotonic solutions: A hypotonic solution has a lower osmotic pressure compared to another solution. In biological terms, this means it has fewer solute particles than the blood, leading to water moving into the blood cells, potentially causing them to swell.
Compare with hypertonic solutions: A hypertonic solution has a higher osmotic pressure than another solution. In the context of blood, this means it has more solute particles, causing water to move out of the blood cells, which can lead to cell shrinkage.
Identify the correct term: Since the problem asks for a solution with the same osmotic pressure as blood, the correct term is 'isotonic'. This ensures no net movement of water across the cell membrane, maintaining cell stability.