Final answer:
A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration than inside the cell, causing it to swell. An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration, resulting in no net water movement or change in cell size. A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration, resulting in the cell shrinking as water exits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the effects of different solutions on cells is essential in biology. When discussing the movement of water across cell membranes, three types of solutions are important: hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic. These terms describe the solute concentration of a solution relative to the solute concentration inside a cell, which determines the direction of water movement through osmosis.
Hypotonic Solutions
In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solute in the solution is lower than the concentration inside the cell. As a result, water moves across the cell membrane into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst. This is because water follows its concentration gradient, moving from areas of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.
Isotonic Solutions
An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the inside of the cell, which means there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell. This balance causes no change in the shape of the cell since the same amount of water enters and leaves the cell.
Hypertonic Solutions
In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solute is higher than inside the cell, leading to water exiting the cell. This causes the cell to shrink and shrivel up as it loses water to the surrounding environment.