Question

Which of the following describes the external solution to the cell in the following situation, a cell with a glucose concentration of 1.9% (m / v) and surrounding solution at % (m / v) glucose.

isotonic
hypertonic
hypotonic

Answer 1

The solution surrounding a cell with a 1.9% glucose concentration could be isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic depending on whether the external glucose concentration is equal to, higher than, or lower than 1.9% respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The external solution to a cell can be classified as isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic based on the relative concentrations of solutes between the cell's interior and the external environment.

If a cell with a glucose concentration of 1.9% (m/v) is surrounded by a solution with a different glucose concentration, one of three scenarios will occur:

• If the surrounding solution has a 1.9% (m/v) glucose concentration, the solution is isotonic: there will be no net movement of water in or out of the cell.
• If the surrounding solution has a higher glucose concentration than 1.9% (m/v), the solution is hypertonic: water will move out of the cell, potentially causing it to shrink.
• If the surrounding solution has a lower glucose concentration than 1.9% (m/v), the solution is hypotonic: water will move into the cell, causing it to swell and possibly burst.