Doesn't osmosis apply here as well, i.e., spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a partially permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration?
Chesinta- this is a great question. Where did the erythrocytes originate? I am asking, because in humans, there are variations in sensitivity to osmolarity. Erythrocytes do not have perfect semi-permeable membranes....... in the clinical setting, when clinicians add an IV solution, for example, it must be done with utmost caution due to the varying sensitivities to osmolarity. (D5W) I must continue to think about this, but will get back to you.
Teresa
Hi there Teresa and Debosree, the reason I asked this question is because I was simply thinking (no research here) of hyperglycemia in diabetics with heterozygous HbS genes (I.e. not sickle cell disease), and trying to attribute the idea of erythrocyte swelling in hyperglycemia (i.e against the theory of osmosis,movement of solvent molecules through a partially permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration ). Do you think this could reduce the ability of diabetics with sickle trait (or even the sickle cell disease) to sickle at high altitudes ?
Thank you