Osmotic Fragility

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Osmotic Fragility is important in red blood cells.  An  Osmotic Fragility Test to determine how easily they rupture or burst is often carried out. A hypotonic solution is used which penetrates the red blood cell, causing it to expand, & the point at which it bursts or ruptures shows how stable or fragile the surrounding membrane of the cell is. This is a useful diagnostic test when hemolysis or red cell abnormalities are present.

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