What is the outcome for a red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution?

When a red blood cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than that inside the cell. This difference in concentration creates an osmotic pressure that causes water to move out of the cell and into the surrounding solution in an attempt to reach equilibrium. As water leaves the cell, the volume of the cell decreases, leading to a process known as crenation, where the cell shrinks and shrivels.

This outcome is a key concept in understanding osmosis and the behavior of cells in different environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of solute concentrations and their effects on cellular integrity. In hypertonic environments, it's crucial for cells to manage water loss to maintain proper function.