Principle Of Inheritance And Variation Question 45

Question: When whole blood is stored with an anticoagulant at $ 4{}^\circ C $ , the $ {K^{+}} $ ions move out from the RBC into the plasma. The most likely reasons for this is that [AIIMS 1982; DPMT 1992]

Options:

A) RBC haemolyses and hence leakage of $ {K^{+}} $ ions

B) $ {K^{+}} $ ions become more mobile at $ 4{}^\circ C $

C) Active transport ceases resulting in ionic equilibrium

D) The anticoagulant attracts the $ {K^{+}} $ ions into the plasma

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Blood is stored with an anticoagulant at 4°C.

At normal temperature due to potassium pump, K+ ions are more inside RBC than plasma.

Low temperature stops the potassium pump; i.e., inhibit active transport, K+ ions come out from RBCs resulting in ionic equilibrium.