Osmosis is defined as the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane (like a cell membrane). Like all forms of diffusion, osmosis follows a concentration gradient, where water will move from areas of higher water concentration to areas of lower water concentrations. Water will continuously move in and out of the cell to establish equilibrium or homeostasis.
If a cell is placed into a solution where there is more salt and sugar inside the cell than outside the cell then water would move into the cell and may cause the cell to swell, which is known as cell lysis. In this case: the solution is said to be hypotonic.
If a cell is placed into a solution where there is more salt or solute on the outside of the cell than the inside of the cell, water would move out of the cell and cause the cell to shrink. In this case: the solution is said to be hypertonic.
An isotonic solution (“iso” = the same) is one which has the same levels of solutes as the inside of the cell. Cells placed in isotonic solutions do not lyse or shrink. This is because there is an equal amount of water and solutes inside and outside of the cell. For this reason, isotonic solutions are used to manipulate and wash cells.
Select the correct type of solution each cell demonstrates: The solution is: hypotonic The solution is: hypertonic The solution is: isotonic
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