Question

in a hypotonic solution, which means below strength, which of the following will happen? the cells lose water and shrivel. the cell remains unaffected. the cells gain water and swell.

Explanation:

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside. Water moves into the cell by osmosis (the movement of water across a semi - permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration). When water enters the cell, it causes the cell to gain water and swell.

• For the option “The cells lose water and shrivel”: This occurs in a hypertonic solution (where the solute concentration outside is higher than inside, so water moves out of the cell).
• For the option “The cell remains unaffected”: This would be the case in an isotonic solution (where the solute concentration is the same inside and outside the cell, so there is no net movement of water).

Answer:

The cells gain water and swell.