What is a hypertonic solution?

What is a hypertonic solution?

• A. A solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to another solution
• B. A solution that is equal in solute concentration to another solution
• C. A solution with a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution
• D. A solution that prevents osmosis from occurring

Answer: (C)

A hypertonic solution is defined as one that has a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution, typically in relation to a cell or another body of fluid. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell into the surrounding solution in an effort to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. This movement of water occurs via the process of osmosis, which is driven by the concentration gradient between the solute concentrations inside the cell and in the hypertonic solution outside. As a result, the cell may shrink or become plasmolyzed due to the loss of water. In contrast, a solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to another is referred to as a hypotonic solution, and one that has an equal concentration is isotonic. A solution that prevents osmosis from occurring does not accurately describe lipid bilayers or cell membranes that are selectively permeable and allow for osmotic movement when there are concentration differences. Understanding these definitions is crucial for applications in biology, especially in processes related to cellular functions and homeostasis.

A hypertonic solution is defined as one that has a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution, typically in relation to a cell or another body of fluid. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell into the surrounding solution in an effort to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. This movement of water occurs via the process of osmosis, which is driven by the concentration gradient between the solute concentrations inside the cell and in the hypertonic solution outside. As a result, the cell may shrink or become plasmolyzed due to the loss of water.

In contrast, a solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to another is referred to as a hypotonic solution, and one that has an equal concentration is isotonic. A solution that prevents osmosis from occurring does not accurately describe lipid bilayers or cell membranes that are selectively permeable and allow for osmotic movement when there are concentration differences. Understanding these definitions is crucial for applications in biology, especially in processes related to cellular functions and homeostasis.