Question

An aqueous solution is prepared by mixing 0.165 g of NaCl in sufficient water to produce 17.0 mL of solution. Is this saline (salt) solution isotonic, hypertonic or hypotonic with respect to red blood cells? You MUST prove your choice with a calculation! (HINT: Ask yourself if this solution has the same concentration as physiological saline -- 0.9% (m/v) -- or not!)

Answer 1

Isotonic Solution: solutions having same osmotic pressure are called isotonic Solutions.

Hypotonic solution is solution in which the concentration of solute is greater inside the cell than outside the cell i.e. less concentrated w.r.t to cell.

Hypertonic solution is solution where the concentration of solute is greater outside the cell than inside it. This solution will be more concentrated w.r.t to cell.

0.91% (m/v) solution of sodium chloride is Isotonic with fluids inside human red blood cells. In present case we have to find molarity Of NaCl solution.

as the Concentration of both the solution is not same the solutions are not isotonic.

The given solution is more concentrated so it is Hypertonic.