Question

A cell swells up when kept in

• A. Any of the above
• B. Hypotonic solution
• C. Hypertonic solution
• D. Isotonic solution

Answer 1

The correct option is

C

Hypotonic solution

If a cell swells after being placed in a solution, it means water from the solution has entered the cell. As water flows from a region of its own higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, we conclude that water is present in higher concentration in the solution as compared to the cell sap. Thus, the solution is hypotonic as compared to cell sap. The process in which water enters the cell is called endosmosis.