Biological Science (6th Edition)
Biological Science (6th Edition)
6th Edition
ISBN: 9780321976499
Author: Scott Freeman, Kim Quillin, Lizabeth Allison, Michael Black, Emily Taylor, Greg Podgorski, Jeff Carmichael
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 35, Problem 1TYK

CAUTION A cell is placed in a solution that is hypotonic to the cell. Which of the following best describes movement of water in this situation?

a. Water will only flow into the cell.

b. Water will only flow out of the cell.

c. Water will flow into and out of the cell, but the overall net movement will be out of the cell.

d. Water will flow into and out of the cell, but the overall net movement will be into the cell.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Summary Introduction

Introduction:

A hypotonic solution is a solution containing low solute concentration in the cell’s exterior in comparison to cell’s interior.

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

The water will flow inside and outside of the cell when it is placed in a hypotonic solution. The overall movement of the water will be into the cell from the solution present outside.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/Justification for the correct answer:

Option (d) is given that when the cell is kept in a hypotonic solution, the water will flow inside the cell as well as out of the cell. The net movement of the water will be into the cell. The cell kept in the hypotonic solution will cause movement of H2O (water) in both directions; however, the water will move more from a higher H2O concentration to a lower water concentration to achieve equilibrium. Hence, Option (d) is correct.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option (a) is given that when the cell is kept in a hypotonic solution, the water will only flow into the cell. In this case, the cell will burst due to excess amount of solvent inside the cell. Thus, to prevent this, the water will flow out also after equilibrium state. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given that when a cell is kept in a hypotonic solution, the water will only flow out of the cell. The solvent molecules always move from their higher concentration region to their lower concentration region. The water will flow inside instead of outside the cell, as the concentration of solvent (H2O) molecules is more in the solution. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given that when a cell is kept in a hypotonic solution, the water will flow into the cell as well as out of the cell. The net movement of the water will be out of the cell. In this case, the cell will shrink in size and later die off. So, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Thus, water will flow both into the cell and out of the cell. However, the overall movement will be inside the cell from the solution.

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Students have asked these similar questions
If a cell is in an isotonic environment, then a. the cell will gain water and burst. b. no water will move across the membrane. c. the cell will lose water and shrink. d. osmosis still occurs, but there is no net gain or loss of cell volume.
When a cell is put into a hypertonic solution:   A. The solution has a greater concentration of soluters and fluid will leave the cell B. The solution has a lesser concentration of solutes and fluid will leave the cell. C. The solution has a greater concentration of solutes and fluid will move into the cell. D. The solution has a lesser concentration of solutes and fluid will move into the cell.
The cell membrane is permeable to water but not to ions.  Select all that apply. Question options:   Beaker A is isotonic to the cell.    Some water in cell A is moving in and out of the cell.    There is a net movement of water into Cell B.    Beaker C is hypotonic to Cell C.
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