AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, there will be a net flow of water into the cell, and the cell will gain volume. If the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside the cell, and the solutes cannot cross the membrane, then that solution is hypotonic to the cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -The amount of water outside a cell compared to the inside creates an osmotic pressure gradient which causes water to move. In other words, if there are more solutes outside the cell than inside, water will move out of the cell to equalize the solute level inside.

Detailed explanation-3: -In hypotonic solutions, there is a net movement of water from the solution into the body. A cell placed into a hypotonic solution will swell and expand until it eventually burst through a process known as cytolysis.

Detailed explanation-4: -If a cell encounters a hypotonic environment, (like pure water for instance), water will diffuse into the cell and the cell will begin to swell. This can of course lead to an explosion of sorts.

Detailed explanation-5: -A hypertonic solution has fewer water molecules than a hypotonic solution, which have more water molecules. In the presence of a partially permeable membrane, water molecules will therefore move from the hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution due to the existing differences in the concentration gradient.