Question

If cells are placed in a hypertonic solution containing a solute to which the membrane is impermeable, what could happen?

1) The cells will swell and ultimately burst.
2) The cells will lose water and shrink.
3) The cells will shrink at first, but will later reach equilibrium with the surrounding solution and return to their original condition.
4) The cells will show no change due to diffusion of both solute and solvent.

Answer 1

Cells will lose water and shrink when placed in a hypertonic solution that contains a solute impermeable to the cell membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a hypertonic solution, if cells are placed in a solute to which the membrane is impermeable, the cells will lose water and shrink. This happens because the hypertonic solution outside the cell has a higher concentration of solutes than the cell's cytoplasm, causing water to leave the cell through osmosis. As a result, the cells will shrink and may even die.