Question

If a cell contains 95% water and is put into a beaker with 100% water, what will happen

Answer 1

Answer: The quantity of water in the beaker will reduce. The cell will increase size.

Explanation: There is difference in water concentration between the cell and the beaker, therefore water will move from the beaker into the cell causing the cell to expand and the quantity of water in the beaker to decrease. There will be movement of water molecules from an area of high water concentration (beaker) to an area of low water concentration (the cell) through a selectively permeable cell membrane. The aim of this is to create an equilibrium between the water concentration in the cell and that in the beaker.