Question

When a cell is placed in 0.5 M concentrated solution of sugar, there is no change it its volume. But if the same cell is placed in 0.5 M concentrated solution of sodium chloride there will be

• A. Decrease in volume
• B. Increase in volume
• C. No change in volume
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Decrease in volume

Sugar is a carbohydrate with no soluble ions. While sodium chloride consists of Na${}^{+}$ and Cl${}^{-}$ ions. Ionisable molecules possess higher OP and hence, water molecules move from a hypotonic solution (more water, less solute concentration, in this case, the cell) to a hypertonic solution (less water, more solute concentration, in this case, concentrated solution of sodium chloride) across a semi permeable membrane. As a result, the volume will decrease. Hence, when the cell is placed in a concentrated solution of sodium chloride, there will be decrease in the volume of the cell.
Thus, the correct answer is option (A).