Based on the amount of water inside and outside the cell, what type of solution was this cell placed in?

Answer 1

To determine the type of solution a cell is placed in based on the amount of water inside and outside the cell, we can categorize the solutions into three types:

1. Isotonic Solution: This solution has the same concentration of solutes (and thus, the same amount of water) as inside the cell. In this case, water movement in and out of the cell is balanced, resulting in no net change in cell volume.

2. Hypertonic Solution: In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than inside. As a result, water will move out of the cell to the area of higher solute concentration, causing the cell to shrink or crenate.

3. Hypotonic Solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. Here, water will move into the cell, potentially causing it to swell and even burst (lyse).

To ascertain the type of solution, you need to observe whether the cell is maintaining its volume, shrinking, or swelling as a result of the water balance. If you provide specific observations about the cell's condition, I can help you identify the type of solution more accurately.