Osmosis in red blood cells. Illustration of the different appearance of red blood cells when placed in solutions of differing osmotic potential. Osmosis (the flow of water across a semi-permeable membrane,such as a cell membrane) occurs when there is a difference in relative solute-water concentrations. At left,in a hyperosmotic solution,water flows out of the cells,causing them to shrivel. At centre,in an isomotic solution,the cells are normal. At right,in a hyposmotic solution,water flows into the cells and they swell and eventually burst. For osmosis in plant cells,see image C023/8786. For this artwork with labels,see image C023/8783 |