Final answer:
Cells counter the effects of hypertonic environments through osmoregulatory mechanisms that balance the uptake and expulsion of solutes and water, helping them maintain vital functions in various tonicity conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells deal with the adverse effects of compensating for hypertonicity by employing mechanisms to avoid dehydration and maintain osmotic balance. In a hypertonic environment, the extracellular fluid possesses a higher concentration of solutes compared to the cell's cytoplasm, leading to water exiting the cell, causing it to shrink, or crenate. To counteract this, living organisms have evolved osmoregulatory strategies. For example, animal cells will increase the uptake of solutes or pump water in to combat the water loss, and plant cells rely on their rigid cell walls to prevent excessive swelling or shrinking. Conversely, when faced with a hypotonic situation, animal cells might utilize mechanisms to expel water or solutes, while plant cells depend on turgor pressure to maintain structure.