141k views
5 votes
If a cell is moved to a less dilute solution, it will restore its volume by:

a. pumping water into the cell
b. pumping water out of the cell
c. raising its concentration of solute entities
d. lowering its concentration of solute entities

User Ruxming
by
8.9k points

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

If a cell is placed in a less dilute (more concentrated) solution, it will pump water out of the cell to restore its volume and achieve balance with the external environment due to the process of osmosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a cell is moved to a less dilute solution, it will restore its volume by pumping water out of the cell. This process occurs due to a mechanism known as osmosis, which is the diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane. In a hypotonic solution, where the external solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the cell's cytosol, water will move into the cell to balance out the solute concentration on both sides of the membrane, potentially causing the cell to swell and possibly burst. Conversely, if a cell is placed in a more concentrated solution (hypertonic), it will lose water to the external environment, thereby reducing cell volume and restoring balance.

User Harsh Patel
by
7.4k points