Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell, causing water to enter the cell, which may lead to swelling or bursting.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell, resulting in no net movement of water into or out of the cell.

Front

What happens to a plant cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, water enters the plant cell, causing it to swell and become turgid, which is essential for maintaining plant structure.

Front

What happens to a plant cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water leaves the plant cell, causing it to shrink and the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall, a process called plasmolysis.

Front

What happens to a plant cell in an isotonic solution?

Back

In an isotonic solution, the plant cell remains in equilibrium with its surroundings, maintaining its shape without gaining or losing water.

Front

How does osmosis relate to hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration (hypotonic) to an area of higher solute concentration (hypertonic) until equilibrium is reached (isotonic).

Front

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

Back

In a hypertonic solution, animal cells lose water and may shrivel, leading to a condition called crenation.

Front

What is the effect of a hypotonic solution on animal cells?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, animal cells gain water and may swell, potentially leading to lysis (bursting).

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in osmosis?

Back

The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing water to pass through while controlling the movement of solutes, thus regulating osmosis.