What condition does hypertonic refer to in relation to cell environments?

What condition does hypertonic refer to in relation to cell environments?

• A. Cell swelling due to excess water
• B. Equal concentration of solutes
• C. Lower concentration of solutes outside
• D. Higher concentration of solutes outside

Answer: (D)

Hypertonic conditions refer to environments where there is a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell compared to the inside. In this scenario, when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane. As a result, the cell loses water and may shrink or crenate. Understanding hypertonicity is crucial as it highlights the concept of osmosis—the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane in response to solute concentration differences. This principle is vital for applications in biology, such as understanding how cells maintain homeostasis and manage their internal environments.

Hypertonic conditions refer to environments where there is a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell compared to the inside. In this scenario, when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane. As a result, the cell loses water and may shrink or crenate.

Understanding hypertonicity is crucial as it highlights the concept of osmosis—the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane in response to solute concentration differences. This principle is vital for applications in biology, such as understanding how cells maintain homeostasis and manage their internal environments.