Biology question. Need Help, please?

Question

For HW i have 2 Biology questions that I don't know how to answr. Can you please help me.Thanks.

1. In the labortory a scientist is doing an experiment with red blood cells. The scientist has 2 solutuins, a 5% salt solution and distilled water.

A) A red blood cell, whose internal concentration of dissolved solute is 0.8%, is placed in the 5% salt solutuin. What happens to the red cell?

Explain your answer.

B) What would happen if you placed another red blood cell in the distilled water? Explain your answer.

2. Meiosis occurs in the development of s*x cells.Mitosis occurs in most cells.

Identify TWO additional differences between these processes

Thanks! The best answer will win. Once again thanks!

Answer 1

The red cell will fill up (or blow up like a balloon) because of osmosis. The molecules want to travel in through the membrane of the red blood cell to the less dense solute to attempt to even out the densities.

Unlike mitosis, meiosis is a two-step process, consisting of two sequential cell divisions. Therefore, one basic difference between meiosis and mitosis is that at the end of meiosis, there are haploid four progeny cells, whereas at the end of mitosis, there are two diploid progeny cells

Answer 2

SO for the first question it would be helpful for you to review the principles of osmosis,   and such terms as: hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.  

  Tonic basically means concentration of solutes,  so if you are putting something in a hypertonic solution, their is more solutes in the solution relative to whatever it is you put in it (i.e. a cell).

   so in this case you have taken a cell which is dilute compared to its environment (.08% of solutes vs. 5% solutes in the solution).  because of this water will rush out of the cell,   causing the cell to shrivel up and potentially die.    If you placed another RBC in their   you will get the same result,   only in theory  not as much water will exit the cells, but that depends on how much solution is available,   most likley they will just both shrivel up and die.

as for meiosis vs. mitosis,   i wont answer it but  ask you 2 questions which hold the answer.   1.  what is the end product of mitosis and meiosis?      2.  how many stages are their is mitosis vs. meiosis?

good luck.