Question

The concentration of solute particles present in its surrounding environment greatly affects a cell. The cell shown in Diagram 2 must take immediate action to deal with the imbalance of solute concentration across the cell membrane.

Which three of the following sentences describe Diagram 2 and the actions that will result?
The solution is hypotonic.
The solution is hypertonic.
The solution is isotonic.
Water will move into the cell.
Water will move out of the cell.
The cell will shrink.
The cell will swell.

Answer 1

The solution is hypertonic, water will move out of the cell, and the cell will shrink.

Diagram 2 depicts a situation where the solution surrounding the cell is hypertonic. In a hypertonic solution, there is a higher concentration of solute particles outside the cell compared to inside. As a result, water tends to move out of the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration on both sides of the cell membrane.

The movement of water out of the cell leads to a process known as osmosis. As water exits the cell, the cell experiences a decrease in internal water volume, causing it to shrink or undergo cellular contraction. This shrinkage is indicative of a hypertonic environment, where the osmotic pressure draws water out of the cell to balance the solute concentration.