In a hypertonic solution, what generally happens to red blood cells?

In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the red blood cells is higher than the concentration of solutes inside the cells. This differential in solute concentration causes water to move out of the cells through osmosis, which is the process where water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

As water exits the red blood cells, the cells experience a loss of volume. Consequently, this causes the red blood cells to shrink, a process referred to as crenation. This is a critical concept in cellular biology, as it illustrates how cells respond to different osmotic environments. Maintaining proper osmotic balance is crucial for cell function and survival, and understanding the implications of hypertonic solutions is essential in many medical and physiological contexts.