Cells & Tonicity

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move out of the cell.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will shrink and become wrinkly as water moves out.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will swell and may burst as water moves in.

Front

What happens to a cell in an isotonic solution?

Back

The cell will remain the same size as water moves in and out at equal rates.

Front

Define osmosis.

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in tonicity?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of water and solutes, maintaining the cell's internal environment.

Front

How does tonicity affect cell shape?

Back

Tonicity affects cell shape by determining whether water enters or leaves the cell, influencing swelling or shrinking.

Front

What is the effect of a hypertonic solution on plant cells?

Back

Plant cells will undergo plasmolysis, where the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall due to water loss.