AP BIOLOGY

THE CELL

TRANSPORT INTO AND OUT OF THE CELL

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
A cell will swell when it is placed in a(n)
A
hypertonic solution
B
isotonic solution
C
hypotonic solution
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The cell will enlarge as it absorbs water through osmosis in the hypotonic fluid. A hypertonic solution includes more solutes in comparison to the solute concentration in the cell’s cytoplasm. When cells are immersed in such a solution, water molecules shift from higher to lower concentrations.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -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-4: -If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the cell will swell and burst.

Detailed explanation-5: -Physiology of Body Fluids A hypotonic solution causes a cell to swell, whereas a hypertonic solution causes a cell to shrink. Although it is related to osmolality, tonicity also takes into consideration the ability of the solute to cross the cell membrane.

There is 1 question to complete.