What will most likely occur when a cell is placed into a saline solution that has a higher salt concentration than inside the cell?

Question

Responses

Water molecules will move into the cell.
Water molecules will move into the cell.

Water molecules will move until the salt concentration is the same inside and outside the cell.
Water molecules will move until the salt concentration is the same inside and outside the cell.

Salt molecules will move out of the cell.
Salt molecules will move out of the cell.

Salt molecules will move until the salt concentration is the same inside and outside the cell.
Salt molecules will move until the salt concentration is the same inside and outside the cell.

Answer 1

When a cell is placed in a saline solution with a higher salt concentration than inside the cell, water molecules will move out of the cell to try to balance the concentration of salt (solute) inside and outside the cell. This process is known as osmosis.

Therefore, the most accurate statement is:

Water molecules will move until the salt concentration is the same inside and outside the cell.

As water moves out, the cell may shrink in size due to the loss of water.