Question

A cell placed in solution swells up. The solution is:

Answer 1

Hint: Cells are the basic and the fundamental unit of life. Hence, if we break apart an organism to the cellular level the smallest independent component that we could find is the cell. Cells are considered to be complex and their components perform various functions in an organism and they are the lowest level of organization in a life form.

Complete answer:
There are three main types of solution which are isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic. The effects of isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic environments on both plants and animal cells are the same.

A cell in an isotonic solution which means the solute concentrations both inside and outside are the same. In this state there is no concentration gradient hence no big movement of water in or out takes place.

A hypotonic solution has lower solute concentration than inside of the cell. This difference in concentration causes the water to enter the cell causing the cell wall to bulge out. The cell wall helps to keep the cell from bursting.

Hypertonic solutions will have a higher solute concentration than the inside of the cell. This causes water to rush out thereby making the cell wrinkle or shrivel. This phenomenon is clearly seen in red blood cells thereby undergoing a process called as crenation.

Therefore we can say that a cell placed in hypotonic solution would swell up.

Note: Osmosis is a passive transport system. It means the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. Diffusion is the movement of solute particles basically dissolved materials, from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. The process in which water enters the cell is known as endosmosis.