A hypotonic solution will cause the cell to do what?

A hypotonic solution will cause the cell to do what?

• A. Cause The Cell To Shrink Due To Water Loss
• B. Cause The Cell To Swell Due To Intake Of Water
• C. No Net Water Movement
• D. Change The Color Of The Cell

Answer: (B)

Osmosis drives water movement in response to solute differences across a membrane. In a hypotonic solution, the outside has fewer solutes than the inside, so water moves into the cell to balance concentrations. As water enters, the cell gains volume and swells. In animal cells this can lead to bursting if the membrane can’t contain the swelling; plant cells become turgid because the rigid cell wall provides support against swelling. The other options don’t fit because shrinking happens when water leaves the cell in a hypertonic solution, and no net movement would occur only in an isotonic situation; changing color isn’t tied to osmotic movement.

Osmosis drives water movement in response to solute differences across a membrane. In a hypotonic solution, the outside has fewer solutes than the inside, so water moves into the cell to balance concentrations. As water enters, the cell gains volume and swells. In animal cells this can lead to bursting if the membrane can’t contain the swelling; plant cells become turgid because the rigid cell wall provides support against swelling. The other options don’t fit because shrinking happens when water leaves the cell in a hypertonic solution, and no net movement would occur only in an isotonic situation; changing color isn’t tied to osmotic movement.