Question

When a cell is placed in 0.5M concentrated sugar solution, there is no change in its volume. But the same cell is placed in 0.5M 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

A sugar solution is a non-electrolyte solution (no ions are produced) whereas a solution of sodium chloride is an electrolyte solution (ions are produced). Due to ionisation, the solution of electrolyte has more solute particles as compared to a non-electrolyte of the same strength. Thus the cell placed in sodium chloride solution will undergo exosmosis and this results in the decrease in the volume of the cell.