Dehydration and camel blood. II. Shape, size, and concentration of red blood cells

This experiment examined the changes that occur in the red blood cells during hydration, dehydration, and intervals after rehydration. With dehydration the cell size diminishes but the shape does not change. These changes were confirmed in hypertonic saline solutions. Only in a 20% saline solution was beveling of the membrane observed. After rapid rehydration the cells increase in size, as was found in hypotonic saline solutions. Hemolysis was observed in 0.2% saline. The hematocrit, number of cells, and hemoglobin content also change during the various states of hydration. It is concluded that the blood cell plays an important role in the ability of the camel to survive extreme environmental conditions.