Question

If cells are placed in a hypertonic solution containing a solute to which the membrane is impermeable, what could happen?

Answer 1

Answer: A

 The cells would lose water and shrink. In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solute is higher than water in a cell. With this, there is a net movement of water from inside to outside initiating water to lose from the cytoplasm and vacuole causing the cell to shrink due to osmosis and achieve equilibrium.

This process is applied in food preservation where microbial cells will be dehydrated in a hypertonic environment, making them malfunction and preventing them to cause food spoilage.

Answer 2

If cells are placed in a hypertonic solution containing a solute to which the membrane is impermeable, what could happen?
a.the cells will lose water and shrink.
b.the cells will shrink at first, but will later reach equilibrium with the surrounding solution and return to their original condition.
c.the cells will show no change due to diffusion of both solute and solvent.
d.the cells will swell and ultimately bu