Question

A cell is able to withstand very dilute external media without bursting. In such media, which of the following things could happen?

• A. The cell is likely to swell up
• B. The cell will stay the same size
• C. The cell will shrink
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A The cell is likely to swell up

The cell will swell up due to osmosis which causes the diffusion of solvent from dilute external media to the concentrated internal cytoplasm, which increases the volume of the cell.