If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, in which direction will the net movement of water be?

Answer 1

If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the net movement of water will be into the cell. This occurs because a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. Water tends to move across the cell membrane by osmosis—passive diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane—from an area of lower solute concentration (the hypotonic solution) to an area of higher solute concentration (inside the cell) in order to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

As water enters the cell, it can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst if the inflow of water is severe and the cell lacks the ability to expel the excess water or if the cell wall (for cells that have one, like plant cells) cannot withstand the increased internal pressure. This phenomenon is known as lysing in animal cells. In contrast, plant cells and bacteria have sturdy cell walls that can resist the pressure to some extent and prevent the cell from bursting, though they can still become turgid as they fill with water.

Answer 2

simplify

Answer 3

If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the net movement of water will be into the cell. This is because there are fewer dissolved substances (like salts and sugars) in the hypotonic solution outside the cell than inside, so water moves inside to balance things out.