Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each solution by its effect on an animal cell placed in it.
Groups: Cell swells · Cell shrinks · No net change
- Hypotonic, more dilute
- Concentrated salt solution
- Pure distilled water
- Isotonic, matching the cell
- Hypertonic, more concentrated
Hints
- Water always moves toward the higher solute concentration.
- A more dilute outside means water flows in.
Show the answer
Cell swells: Hypotonic, more dilute, Pure distilled water
Cell shrinks: Hypertonic, more concentrated, Concentrated salt solution
No net change: Isotonic, matching the cell
Why
Water moves toward the higher solute concentration. A hypotonic environment drives water in and can burst an animal cell, which is why cells in fresh water need pumps or walls to survive.
Practise Membranes, Transport and the Energy Currency
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