Question

Increased solute concentration of a cell causes _______.

Answer 1

Hypertonic solution:

1. A hypertonic solution consists of a high solute concentration and a low concentration of solvent.
2. When the cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the outer solution has a high solute concentration than the cell solution and thus water loses the cell and becomes flaccid.
3. Thus, the water potential decreases in a hypertonic solution.
4. Whereas in the hypertonic solution the solute concentration in the outer solution is low compared to the cell cytoplasm, therefore the diffusion of water occurs inside the cell and the cell swells up, leading to an increase in turgor pressure.
5. In an isotonic the water pressure is equal on both sides, (inside the cell and outer solution) therefore no net movement occurs.

Final answer: Increased solute concentration of a cell causes hypertonic solution.