The Osmosis of Red Blood Cells in Different Saltwater Solutions Experimental Group: Breanna Meeks, Emma Monfort, DeAndra Hagins, and Rin Kim Georgia State University- Tuesday 10:00 Dr. Morrey Lab Due Date: September 13, 2016
Introduction:
The human body is made up of mostly water (about 85 percent) and other chemicals/fluids. One of the most crucial fluids in the body is blood. Blood is made up of cells, that are known as red blood cells (RBCs). Red blood cells are critical for the transportation of oxygen and other nutrients needed to support the human body in a healthy, normal living condition. Normal red blood cells have a round, donut shape. This shape is what allows oxygen to be transported …show more content…
During osmosis, water moves down its concentration gradient” (p.55). As far as red blood cells are concerned, osmosis is a critical process because it ultimately determines healthiness. Being that blood cells are selectively permeably (decides what is allowed/not allowed inside), the ways in which water travel in and out of the cells is important. Water will flow in and out of cells based on how chemically concentrated an area is. For the purposes of this report, the red blood cells’ response (direction in which water flows) to a variation of chemical solutions will be discussed. There were three water based solutions used: 0.85 percent salted (isotonic), 10 percent salted (hypertonic), and unsalted (hypotonic). The experiment was conducted with the intent of observing the cells reaction to whichever solution it was placed with. The blood cells will change in size and shape depending on the solution they are mixed …show more content…
Each cell would have a different result in the NaCl solutions would have made a better hypothesis. Allowing this to be the hypothesis would have acknowledged the effects that the controls (solutions) would have on the results (appearance of the cells), and it would have minimized the margin of error. The .85% solution is closer to the solution in the human body that allows for cells to be able to be healthy and productive. Any deviation that is above or below this creates mutations and dysfunctions. An example of a dysfunction/mutation based on cell shape and chemical composition is sickle cell anemia. People that have sickle cell anemia have sickle-shaped blood cells instead of isotonic, donut-shaped cells. According to Macon and Solan (2016), “The sickle-shaped red blood cells can’t carry as much oxygen to your tissues as normal red blood cells can. They may also become stuck in your blood vessels, blocking blood flow to your organs.” Studying the shapes and chemical compositions of blood cells is critical because it provides essential information needed in medicine to provide treatments for people facing blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Moreover, studying cells in general provides a foundation for people to be able to maintain daily healthiness to fight off other common infections and diseases (i.e. the common cold). Public awareness equips people and healthcare
Introduction:
The human body is made up of mostly water (about 85 percent) and other chemicals/fluids. One of the most crucial fluids in the body is blood. Blood is made up of cells, that are known as red blood cells (RBCs). Red blood cells are critical for the transportation of oxygen and other nutrients needed to support the human body in a healthy, normal living condition. Normal red blood cells have a round, donut shape. This shape is what allows oxygen to be transported …show more content…
During osmosis, water moves down its concentration gradient” (p.55). As far as red blood cells are concerned, osmosis is a critical process because it ultimately determines healthiness. Being that blood cells are selectively permeably (decides what is allowed/not allowed inside), the ways in which water travel in and out of the cells is important. Water will flow in and out of cells based on how chemically concentrated an area is. For the purposes of this report, the red blood cells’ response (direction in which water flows) to a variation of chemical solutions will be discussed. There were three water based solutions used: 0.85 percent salted (isotonic), 10 percent salted (hypertonic), and unsalted (hypotonic). The experiment was conducted with the intent of observing the cells reaction to whichever solution it was placed with. The blood cells will change in size and shape depending on the solution they are mixed …show more content…
Each cell would have a different result in the NaCl solutions would have made a better hypothesis. Allowing this to be the hypothesis would have acknowledged the effects that the controls (solutions) would have on the results (appearance of the cells), and it would have minimized the margin of error. The .85% solution is closer to the solution in the human body that allows for cells to be able to be healthy and productive. Any deviation that is above or below this creates mutations and dysfunctions. An example of a dysfunction/mutation based on cell shape and chemical composition is sickle cell anemia. People that have sickle cell anemia have sickle-shaped blood cells instead of isotonic, donut-shaped cells. According to Macon and Solan (2016), “The sickle-shaped red blood cells can’t carry as much oxygen to your tissues as normal red blood cells can. They may also become stuck in your blood vessels, blocking blood flow to your organs.” Studying the shapes and chemical compositions of blood cells is critical because it provides essential information needed in medicine to provide treatments for people facing blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Moreover, studying cells in general provides a foundation for people to be able to maintain daily healthiness to fight off other common infections and diseases (i.e. the common cold). Public awareness equips people and healthcare