Question

A HYPOTONIC solution will cause an egg (cell) to increase in size. Which of the following solutions was the egg in a hypotonic solution? (Be careful and consider ALL answers before choosing!)
Question 4 options:

In the vinegar

In the corn syrup

In the pure water with food coloring

Both A and b

Answer 1

To determine which solution is hypotonic for the egg, we need to consider the concentrations of solutes in the solutions relative to the concentration of solutes inside the egg (cell).

1. **In the vinegar**: Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid, which means it has a lower concentration of solutes than the egg's interior, making it hypotonic. The egg would likely swell in vinegar.

2. **In the corn syrup**: Corn syrup is a highly concentrated solution of sugars. This would create a hypertonic environment for the egg, leading to water moving out of the egg (cell) and causing it to shrink.

3. **In the pure water with food coloring**: Pure water is typically considered hypersolvent compared to the inside of a cell (assuming the inside of the egg contains solutes). This would also be a hypotonic solution, causing the egg to swell as water moves into the egg.

So, the hypotonic solutions for the egg are **vinegar** and **pure water with food coloring**.

Thus, the correct answer is: **Both A and b**.