EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -A cell placed into a hypotonic solution will swell and expand until it eventually burst through a process known as cytolysis. These three examples of different solute concentrations provide an illustration of the spectrum of water movement based on solute concentration through the process of osmosis.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cells placed in a hypotonic solution will take in water across their membrane until both the external solution and the cytosol are isotonic. A cell that does not have a rigid cell wall, such as a red blood cell, will swell and lyse (burst) when placed in a hypotonic solution.

Detailed explanation-3: -As a result of the hypotonic environment, an osmotic gradient is generated that results in the movement of the solvent or water into the cell resulting in the swelling of the cell. Thus, a cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell and eventually lyse.

Detailed explanation-4: -Under these conditions, the osmotic pressure gradient forces water into the cell. Depending on the amount of water that enters, the cell may look enlarged or bloated. If the water continues to move into the cell, it can stretch the cell membrane to the point the cell bursts (lyses) and dies.

Detailed explanation-5: -If placed in a hypotonic solution, a red blood cell will bloat up and may explode, while in a hypertonic solution, it will shrivel-making the cytoplasm dense and its contents concentrated-and may die. In the case of a plant cell, however, a hypotonic extracellular solution is actually ideal.