AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall as it shrivels, a proces s called plasmolysis. Animal cells tend to do best in an isotonic environment, plant cells tend to do best in a hypotonic environment.

Detailed explanation-2: -Animal cells need to be in isotonic solutions to be at homeostasis. Homeostasis is a balance and is important for all living things to maintain. Animal cells lack a cell wall, so too much water coming into the cell will cause it to burst and too much water leaving will cause it to shrink and die.

Detailed explanation-3: -As a result, the cell swells up and bursts. However, in an isotonic solution, water moves in and out of the animal cell, and there will be no net change in the cell osmolarity. Therefore, an animal cell prefers an isotonic solution over a hypotonic solution.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plants thrive in hypotonic environments. Their cells have rigid cell walls that prevents bursting, or lysis. The pressure of the cytoplasm against the cell wall keeps the plant from wilting and losing its shape. This pressure is called turgor pressure or osmotic pressure.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thus, a hypotonic solution helps plants cells maintain their balance, or homeostasis.