Question

Compare hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions. When an environment is hypertonic what happens to the cell?*1 pointThe cells have more solute, so solvent moves from inside the cell to outside the cell, causing it to shrinkthe cell has more solute, so solvent moves form outside the cell to inside, causing the cell to swellthe environment has more solute, so solvents moves form outside the cell to inside, causing the cell to swellthe environment has more solute, so solvent moves from inside the cell to outside, causing the cell to shrink

Answer 1

To compare hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions:

- **Hypertonic Solution**: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic environment, water moves out of the cell to the area of higher solute concentration outside, leading to the cell shrinking (or crenation).

- **Hypotonic Solution**: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic environment, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst (or lyse) if too much water enters.

- **Isotonic Solution**: An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. In an isotonic environment, there is no net movement of water in or out of the cell, and the cell retains its normal shape.

Given this information, when an environment is hypertonic:

**The correct answer is**: The environment has more solute, so solvent moves from inside the cell to outside the cell, causing the cell to shrink.