Final answer:
In osmosis, water movement is influenced by the tonicity of the surrounding solution, categorized as hypotonic, hypertonic, or isotonic. Each type affects plant and animal cells differently, where hypotonic solutions can lead to cell bursting in animals and turgidity in plants, hypertonic solutions can cause cell shrinkage, and isotonic solutions maintain equilibrium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmosis involves the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane. The direction and impact of water movement depend on the tonicity of the solution surrounding the cells, which can be classified into three types:
Hypertonic: This solution has a higher solute concentration, leading water to move out of the cells. As a result, plants may wilt, and animal cells may shrink, potentially impairing cellular functions.
Isotonic: An equal solute concentration inside and outside the cells ensures that water moves in and out at equilibrium, thus maintaining the cell's shape and function without causing any damage.
These types of solutins directly impact the physical state and the health of both plant and animal cells, with the potential to induce conditions such as hemolysis in animal cells or turgor in plant cells.