Osmotic fragility tests revealed that a patient with sickle cell anaemia has less fragile cells than a normal patient. Why?Question 1Select one:A.Haemoglobin multimers in sickle cell blood precipitate in the cellsB.Sickle cell shape of RBCs resist swelling in hypotonic solutions (less concentrated NaCl)C.Biconcave normal cells swell in hypertonic solutions (more concentrated NaCl)D.The ratio of sickle to normal cells dictates the rate of haemolysis in hypertonic solutionsE.Only spherical cells burst because their membranes lack essential proteins
Question
Osmotic fragility tests revealed that a patient with sickle cell anaemia has less fragile cells than a normal patient. Why?Question 1Select one:A.Haemoglobin multimers in sickle cell blood precipitate in the cellsB.Sickle cell shape of RBCs resist swelling in hypotonic solutions (less concentrated NaCl)C.Biconcave normal cells swell in hypertonic solutions (more concentrated NaCl)D.The ratio of sickle to normal cells dictates the rate of haemolysis in hypertonic solutionsE.Only spherical cells burst because their membranes lack essential proteins
Solution
The correct answer is B. Sickle cell shape of RBCs resist swelling in hypotonic solutions (less concentrated NaCl).
Here's why:
In a hypotonic solution, water moves into cells in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell. This causes cells to swell. Normal red blood cells, which are biconcave in shape, can swell until they burst, a process known as hemolysis.
However, in sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. This abnormal shape means they don't swell as much in hypotonic solutions. Therefore, they are less likely to burst, making them less fragile in osmotic fragility tests.
The other
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