Question

a cell is placed in solution which has the same solute concentration as the inside of the cell isotonic. because the concentration is the same on both sides of the membrane which direction will the water move via osmosis

Answer 1

If a cell is in a medium with the same concentration of solutes with respect to intracellular space —isotonic— there will be no movement of water because there is no osmotic gradient or osmosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Osmosis implies the passage of water through a semi-permeable membrane from a place with a lower concentration of solutes to one where the concentration of solutes is higher. This difference in solutes concentration on both sides of the membrane produces an osmotic gradient, where the water will move towards the space with the highest concentration of solutes.

If a cell is in an isotonic medium —the same concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell— there is an equilibrium and the osmotic gradient is non-existent, so there is no movement of water or osmosis.