Question

A cell with 1% solute concentration is placed in a beaker with a 5% solute concentration.

What will happen to this cell over time?

Answer 1

The solutions will try and equilibrate. This means the higher solution will enter the cell via osmosis. The cell will then burst (lysis) or, if it is a plant cell, will become turgid.

Answer 2

The correct answer will be- The water will move out and cell will shrink

Step-by-step explanation:

The movement of solute particles and water into and out through the cell membrane depends upon the concentration gradient. The movement takes place in two ways: osmosis and diffusion.

When a cell containing 1% solute or high water concentration is placed in the solution with 5% solute or low water concentration, the cell will move out of the cell. This happens as the movement of water depends on the concentration gradient and will move from higher concentration observed in the cell to lower concentration.

Thus, water will move out of the cell and cell will shrink.