Hypotone Lösungen und Erythrozytenlyse: Der Mechanismus

A red blood cell will swell and potentially burst (lyse) when placed in a hypotonic solution.

Mechanism

• A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration outside the cell than inside.
• Water moves into the cell via osmosis to equalize concentrations.
• As water enters, the cell swells; if the influx continues, the membrane may rupture.

This principle is fundamental in intravenous fluid therapy, where hypotonic solutions (e.g., 0.45% saline) are used cautiously to avoid hemolysis.