Question

What will happen to a cell (plant cell or animal cell) when placed in the following solutions:
(a) Hypotonic solution
(b) Isotonic solution
(c) Hypertonic solution

Answer 1

(a) Hypotonic Solution: External solution is dilute i.e. high water concentration (low solute concentration). In this case water will rush into the cell and it will gain water.

(b) Isotonic Solution: External solution concentration is same as internal solution concentration of the cell. In this case, there is no net movement of water.

(c) Hypertonic Solution: External solution is of high solute concentration i.e. low water concentration. Here water will rush out from cell and it will shrivel/shrink.