CRENATION Meaning and
Definition
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Crenation is a term used in biology and medicine to describe a specific change that occurs in red blood cells when they are subjected to certain conditions, such as hypertonic solutions or extreme temperatures. When red blood cells are exposed to a hypertonic solution, meaning a higher concentration of solutes compared to their internal environment, water molecules tend to diffuse out of the cells, causing them to shrink and develop scalloped or notched edges. This process is known as crenation.
Crenation can also occur when red blood cells are exposed to extreme temperatures, especially cold temperatures. The low temperature causes the water within the cells to freeze, resulting in the formation of ice crystals. As these ice crystals expand, they can damage the cell membrane, leading to the characteristic scalloped appearance.
This phenomenon is mainly observed in red blood cells because they lack a nucleus and other organelles, making them more susceptible to changes in their environment. Crenated red blood cells may have impaired functionality and a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to the altered shape and compromised integrity of their membrane.
Overall, crenation is a reversible process that occurs in red blood cells under certain adverse conditions, leading to the formation of scalloped edges.
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The process of becoming or state of being crenated.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CRENATION
Etymology of CRENATION
The word "crenation" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "crenatus", which means "notched" or "scalloped". The term specifically refers to the scalloped appearance or shape of certain biological structures, such as the crenated edges of a red blood cell when it shrinks or becomes dehydrated.
Similar spelling words for CRENATION
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