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How do hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solution affect the size of cells? Explain Osmosis and Diffusion.

User Victor K
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2 Answers

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Hyper = it goes out
Hypo = it goes in
Isotonic = it goes in and out
User Donentolon
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Part 1:

When a cell is submerged in a hypertonic solution, water escapes and the cell shrinks. There is no net water flow in an isotonic environment, hence the cell size does not vary. Water will enter a cell when it is placed in a hypotonic environment, causing it to swell.

What are hypertonic solutions?

A hypertonic solution is one where there is greater concentration of solute outside the cell than inside the cell. Since water follows the most solute, it leaves the cell. This causes animal and plant cell membranes to shrivel up. The plant cell walls remain intact but animal cells will suffer more.

What are hypotonic solutions?

Hypotonic solutions is when water molecules move from a high water potential to a low one because of diffusion.

What are isotonic solutions?

Isotonic solutions are those solutions that have the same osmotic pressure at a given temperature.

What are cells?

A cell is the smallest basic unit of all living organisms. Cells provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized food function. Cells also contain the body's hereditary material (DNA) and can makes copies of themselves.

Part 2:

Osmosis and Diffusion

Osmosis is the movement of water across the cell membrane, where the water goes from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. It plays an important role in activation, growth, and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, NK cells and other non-hematopoietic cell types.

Cellular diffusion is the process that causes molecules to move in and out of a cell. Diffusion is important as it allows cells to get oxygen and nutrients for survival. In addition it plays a role in cell signaling which mediates organism life processes.

User Derpface
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