Tonicity BR

Front

What is tonicity?

Back

Tonicity refers to the ability of a surrounding solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water.

Front

Define hypertonic solution.

Back

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

Front

Define hypotonic solution.

Back

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

Front

Define 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 is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will lose water and shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will gain water and may swell or burst.

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment within an organism.

Front

Why can't ocean fish survive in freshwater?

Back

Freshwater is hypotonic to ocean fish cells, causing water to enter the cells and potentially make them burst.

Front

What is the effect of an isotonic solution on a cell?

Back

There is no net movement of water; the cell remains the same size.