Question

the viability — or aliveness — of cells being grown in a lab is often assessed by adding a so called \vital dye\ that marks whether a cells membrane is intact or not. these vital dyes cannot cross the membrane of healthy living cells so only dead cells are labeled with the dye. vital dyes are shipped to the lab as a concentrated solution that must be diluted 10 fold before placing the cells in the dye solution. a common lab mistake is to forget to make this dilution. activate your knowledge about diffusion and osmosis. what will most likely happen to healthy cells when they are placed in a highly concentrated dye solution? the concentration of vital dye is higher outside the cell than inside so the dye molecules will diffuse into the cells, causing them to swell. the molecules inside the cell are different types of molecules than the molecules outside the cell and so the concentration difference doesnt matter. there will be no net movement of water or vital dye across the membrane so the cells will not change size. the concentration of water is higher inside the cell than out so water molecules will diffuse out of the cells, causing them to shrink. the concentration of vital dye is higher outside the cell than inside so the water molecules will diffuse into the cells, causing them to swell.

Explanation:

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration across a semi - permeable membrane. When healthy cells are placed in a highly concentrated dye solution (which has a lower water concentration compared to the inside of the cell), water will move out of the cell.

Answer:

The concentration of water is higher inside the cell than out so water molecules will diffuse out of the cells, causing them to shrink.