191k views
2 votes
What would most likely happen to a unicellular organism if it was exposed to a hypotonic solution for an extended period of time? It would shrivel and shrink. It would swell but never burst. It would swell and then burst. It would not be affected.

User Werupokz
by
6.8k points

2 Answers

3 votes

Answer: The correct option is It would swell and then burst.

Hypotonic solution is the one which contains low concentration of solute outside the cell than the inside. It means that the concentration of the solvent ( which is water) is more outside the cell as compared to inside.

Water always moves from high concentration of solvent to low concentration. When a unicellular organism is exposed to hypotonic solution, water will move inside the organism. If this happens for an extended period of time, the unicellular organism would swell and then burst.

Thus, the correct answer is It would swell and then burst.



User Waclock
by
6.2k points
3 votes
Answer:
It would swell and then burst

Step-by-step explanation:
If a unicellular organism is surrounded by a hypotonic solution it would swell and burst. This is caused by the fact that hypotonic substances prefer to go into substances with a higher solute (The unicellular organism). If the hypotonic solution would enter into the organism it would swell up and burst.
User Matt Taylor
by
6.7k points