Question

1. what are the differences between hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions? be able to tell the difference from reading a word problem or based on an image.

Explanation:

• Hypertonic solution: A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution (e.g., inside a cell). Water will move out of the cell (by osmosis) when placed in a hypertonic solution. For example, if a red blood cell is placed in a concentrated salt - water solution (hypertonic to the cell's interior), it will shrink as water leaves the cell.
• Hypotonic solution: A solution with a lower solute concentration than another solution. Water will move into the cell (by osmosis) when the cell is in a hypotonic solution. For instance, if a plant cell (with its cell wall) is placed in pure water (hypotonic to the cell's interior), water will enter the cell, and the cell will become turgid (the cell wall prevents it from bursting).
• Isotonic solution: A solution with the same solute concentration as another solution. There is no net movement of water across the cell membrane. For example, normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is isotonic to human blood cells. When blood cells are in normal saline, they maintain their normal shape as water moves in and out of the cell at the same rate.

Answer:

• Hypertonic solution: Higher solute concentration than the other solution; water moves out of the cell (e.g., red blood cell in concentrated salt - water shrinks).
• Hypotonic solution: Lower solute concentration than the other solution; water moves into the cell (e.g., plant cell in pure water becomes turgid).
• Isotonic solution: Same solute concentration as the other solution; no net water movement (e.g., blood cells in normal saline maintain shape).