In order to understand the impact of different types of solutions on cells, let's define each term:
- Hypertonic Solution: A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.
- Hypotonic Solution: A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.
- Isotonic Solution: A solution with an equal concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.
Now, let's discuss what happens to cells in each of these environments:
A. Hypertonic: When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water will move out of the cell to the surrounding solution in an attempt to equalize the solute concentrations. As a result, the cell will shrink and may become crenated (shriveled).
B. Hypotonic: When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water will move into the cell because there is a higher concentration of solutes inside the cell. This influx of water can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst (lyse) if the difference in concentration is significant.
C. Isotonic: When a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell, as the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside. The cell remains stable in size and shape.
The characteristic of the cell membrane that allows substances to move in and out is its selectively permeable (or semi-permeable) nature, which means it allows certain substances to pass while restricting others. This property is mainly due to the lipid bilayer structure of the membrane and the presence of various proteins that facilitate the transport of molecules.
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