During an investigation into osmosis, a Barbadian student placed red blood cells in distilled water. After five minutes, the cells burst. What caused this to happen?

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Question

During an investigation into osmosis, a Barbadian student placed red blood cells in distilled water. After five minutes, the cells burst. What caused this to happen?

Accepted Answer

Water moved into the cells by osmosis — Award 1 mark for explaining that water enters the cells because the distilled water has a higher water potential than the cell contents. A is incorrect — this would cause the cells to shrink, not burst. C is incorrect — salt movement would not cause the cells to burst. D is incorrect — animal cells do not have cell walls.

Answer

Salts moved out of the cells by diffusion

Answer

Water moved out of the cells by osmosis

Answer

The cell walls could not withstand the pressure

Answer

Water moved into the cells by osmosis

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