Cells & Tonicity

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution is a solution that has the same concentration of solutes as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water across the cell membrane.

Front

What happens to an animal cell in an isotonic solution?

Back

The cell will stay the same size because the movement of water into and out of the cell is balanced.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What happens to an animal cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What happens to an animal cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will swell and may burst as water moves into the cell.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules 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 in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Front

What could happen if too much water diffuses into an animal cell?

Back

The cell could burst or pop due to excessive internal pressure.

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.