What does the term “hypotonic solution” signify in blood banking?

The term “hypotonic solution” refers to a solution that has a lower osmotic pressure compared to another solution, in this case, red blood cells. When red blood cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cells through osmosis in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cells. This influx of water can cause the cells to swell and potentially burst, a process known as hemolysis.

In blood banking, understanding hypotonic solutions is crucial because they can affect the integrity of red blood cells and their functionality. It's vital to maintain the proper osmotic conditions to preserve the viability of blood components. Thus, the focus on the osmotic pressure being lower than that inside red blood cells highlights the significance of maintaining appropriate conditions to avoid cellular damage.