What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

• A. The cell takes up water
• B. The cell shrinks due to osmosis
• C. The cell remains unchanged
• D. The cell expands significantly

Answer: (B)

In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is greater than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. This difference in solute concentration creates a situation where water moves out of the cell to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. As water leaves the cell, it results in the cell losing volume, leading to cell shrinkage. This process is known as osmosis, where water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration to achieve equilibrium. Therefore, when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, it will indeed shrink due to the osmotic movement of water out of the cell.

In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is greater than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. This difference in solute concentration creates a situation where water moves out of the cell to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. As water leaves the cell, it results in the cell losing volume, leading to cell shrinkage. This process is known as osmosis, where water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration to achieve equilibrium. Therefore, when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, it will indeed shrink due to the osmotic movement of water out of the cell.