Question

in this model, the extracellular environment outside the cell has a higher concentration of solutes than the cells cytoplasm does. what will happen to this cell over time? select the true statements. large, polar solute molecules will diffuse through the phospholipids of the membrane. the concentration of solutes inside the cell will increase. water will move out of the cell. the volume of water inside the cell will decrease.

Explanation:

1. Solute Concentration Inside Cell: In a hypertonic environment (higher extracellular solute concentration), solutes may move into the cell (if possible) or water moves out, but over time, solute movement (e.g., via transport) or water loss can lead to increased internal solute concentration relative to initial state.
2. Water Movement: Water moves from low solute concentration (inside cell) to high solute concentration (extracellular) via osmosis, so water exits the cell.
3. Water Volume Inside Cell: As water leaves, the volume of water inside the cell decreases.
4. Large Polar Solutes: The phospholipid bilayer is hydrophobic; large, polar molecules (e.g., glucose) cannot diffuse through it directly—they need channels or carriers, so this statement is incorrect.

Answer:

The true statements are:

• The concentration of solutes inside the cell will increase.
• Water will move out of the cell.
• The volume of water inside the cell will decrease.

(Note: The statement "Large, polar solute molecules will diffuse through the phospholipids of the membrane" is false because large, polar molecules cannot easily diffuse through the nonpolar phospholipid bilayer; they require transport proteins.)