Question

Describe the fate of cells with or without cell walls in various "tonic" solutions (hypertonic, hypotonic, etc.).

Answer 1

Answer:

In hypertonic solutions, the cells will shrink and in hypotonic solutions the cells will fill up

Cells with cell walls will be able to control their tonicity better than cells without cell walls.

Explanation:

Cells with cell walls

• In a hypertonic solution (high solute concentration), water will flow out of the cell into the solution until equilibrium is reached. If the solution has a high concentration of solute the cell may undergo plasmolysis where the plasma membrane detaches from the cell wall.
• In a hypotonic solution: Water will flow into the cell because it has a higher solute concentration compared to the solution. This will continue until the cell is turgid. If more water continues to enter the cell, the cell is at risk of bursting, this takes a while because the cell wall will withstand the pressure.

Cells without cell walls

• In a hypertonic solution: Water will diffuse out of the cell, however there is no cell wall so cell is in danger of shrinking and dying.
• In hypotonic solution: Water will diffuse into cell,the cell will become turgid and if water keeps moving in the cell will burst because it has no cell wall to resist the pressure.