Question

Hypotonic solution is a solution which has a greater concentration outside the cell and hypertonic solution is a solution which has a greater concentration inside the cell. But is it the opposite?

Answer 1

Hypotonic solution is one where the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than that in side the cell. So in terms of Hyper and Hypo, the condition inside the cell in terms of water concentration is less = Hypo.

When we indicate the tonicity of a solution visa vis a cel a cell's surrounding medium, we take into account the water concentration inside the cell and then proceed to name it.
So when given a problem, separate out the two possible cases inside the cell as against how it is outside the cell and name accordingly. The reverse is true for hyper tonicity, when the water concentration inside the cell is more than its medium outside. Watch , we are taking into consideration the concentration of water inside the cell. More= hyper hence hypertonic.