Final answer:
In osmosis, water moves from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration, which means water will move towards the hypertonic solution, the one with a higher sugar concentration. Osmosis continues until both solutions become isotonic, with no net transfer of water. Option number b is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described involves a selectively permeable membrane which allows water, but not sugar, to pass through. In osmosis, water moves from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. If one side of the membrane contains a hypertonic solution, which is more concentrated with sugar, it will have a lower water concentration compared to the hypotonic solution on the other side. Therefore, water will move towards the hypertonic solution to reach equilibrium.
When comparing two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane, as in the scenario described with sugar solutions and water movement, the side with the more concentrated sugar solution is the hypertonic solution. Osmosis will cause water to move from the hypotonic (less concentrated) solution to the hypertonic (more concentrated) solution. This action continues until the osmotic pressure is equalized, which is when no net transfer of water occurs because the solutions have become isotonic.