Question

1. which of the following explains how the direction of osmosis depends on the concentration of solution around the cell? a. in an isotonic solution, water input and output is balanced; in a hypotonic solution, water flows out and the cell shrinks; and in a hypertonic solution, the cell swells and may burst. b. in an isotonic solution, the cell swells and may burst; in a hypotonic solution, water intake and output is balanced; and in a hypertonic solution, water flows out and the cell shrinks. c. in an isotonic solution, water input and output is balanced; in a hypotonic solution, the cell swells and may burst; and in a hypertonic solution, water flows out and the cell shrinks. d. in an isotonic solution, water flows out and the cell shrinks; in a hypotonic solution, the cell swells and may burst; and in a hypertonic solution, water input and output is balanced.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the concepts of osmosis in different solutions:

• Isotonic solution: The solute concentration inside and outside the cell is equal, so water moves in and out at the same rate (balanced water input/output).
• Hypotonic solution: The solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside, so water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst.
• Hypertonic solution: The solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside, so water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Now we analyze each option:

• Option a: Incorrectly states water flows out in hypotonic (should be in) and cell swells in hypertonic (should shrink).
• Option b: Incorrectly states cell swells in isotonic (should be balanced) and water intake/output balanced in hypotonic (should be water in).
• Option c: Correctly matches the concepts: balanced in isotonic, swells in hypotonic, shrinks in hypertonic.
• Option d: Incorrectly states water flows out in isotonic (should be balanced) and balanced in hypertonic (should be water out).

Answer:

c. In an isotonic solution, water input and output is balanced; in a hypotonic solution, the cell swells and may burst; and in a hypertonic solution, water flows out and the cell shrinks.