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

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.