Question

A cell placed in a hypotonic solution will
A. Shrink
B. Swell up
C. Retain its size
D. Be plasmolyzed

Answer 1

Hint: Both the plant cell and animal cells possess an outer membrane that remains surrounding the cells. The outer membrane or the plasma membrane can select some specific molecules that are allowed to pass through the membrane. This capability is known as selective permeability. Those molecules that can freely pass through the membrane are oxygen and water.

Complete answer:
A solution is made up of solvent and solute. The substance which can dissolve in the solvent is known as solute. There are three types of solutions found. These are the hypotonic solution, isotonic solution, and the hypertonic solution.
Hypotonic solution refers to the solution that carries out lesser solutes in comparison to another solution. The isotonic solution comprises the solvent which is equal to another solution. The hypertonic solution contains a higher quantity of solute from another solution.
If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the water enters into the cell from our side which will lead to swelling of the cell. Hypotonic solution possesses lower osmotic pressure. In this case, water moves from lower concentration to higher concentration through a membrane. The process by which water moves from the outer cell area into the cell is called osmosis.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Additional Information:
If a cell is placed in the hypertonic solution It will lose water that causes shrinking of the cell. If a cell is placed in the isotonic solution, the cell will remain intact due to the same concentration present in both the outer and inner cell area.

Note:
45% normal saline is an example of a hypotonic solution. In the case of diabetes ketoacidosis, a hypertonic solution is used. Application of hypertonic solution in diabetes ketoacidosis helps the dehydrated intracellular area to become dehydrated because water moves from the outer area to the intracellular area.