The diagram below shows the simple diffusion of water into a cell from its external environment.

Question

How does the solute concentration inside the cell cause this movement of water?

Question 19 options:

The solute concentration inside the cell would be higher than outside the cell.

The solute concentration does not influence the movement of water into the cell.

The solute concentration inside the cell would be lower than outside the cell.

The solute concentration inside the cell would be the same as outside the cell.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

The solute concentration inside the cell would be higher than outside the cell.

In simple diffusion, water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (outside the cell) to an area of higher solute concentration (inside the cell). This movement occurs in order to equalize solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane, which is why you observe water moving into the cell when the solute concentration inside the cell is higher than that outside.