Question

How does rate of penetration relate to hemolysis ?

Answer 1

How does rate of penetration relate to hemolysis ?

Rate of penetration of solute is directly propotional to the rate of hemolysis.

Penetration of solute into the RBCs through its membrane results in higher solute concentration inside the cell in comparison to outside of the cell. Therefore, water will move into the cell (ie,from low to high solute concentration). This results in cell rupture and hemolysis.

Rate of penetration of a solute into a cell through its membrane depends on lipid solubility, molecule size, and ionic charge of the solute. If the molecules are slow penetrating , then hemolysis will be slow and if molecules are fast penetrating hemolysis also become fast.