Answer:
If there is 5% salt on the outside of the cell and 20% salt on the inside of the cell, the environment would be considered osmotically imbalanced or osmotically stressed.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, cells are surrounded by a membrane that separates the inside of the cell from the external environment. This membrane is selectively permeable, meaning that it allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others. In the case of a cell in an osmotically imbalanced environment, the concentration of solutes (such as salt) is different inside and outside the cell, which can cause water to flow in or out of the cell in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides of the membrane.
If the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside (as in the case you described, with 20% salt inside and 5% salt outside), this can lead to an excess of water inside the cell, which can cause the cell to swell and potentially rupture. On the other hand, if the concentration of solutes is higher outside the cell than inside, this can cause water to flow out of the cell, leading to dehydration and potentially damaging the cell.
Osmotic stress can have a range of effects on cells, depending on the severity and duration of the imbalance. In some cases, cells can adapt and survive in an osmotically imbalanced environment, but in others, the stress can be lethal.