Question

below are animal cells placed in beakers of various concentrations.

1. draw an arrow to show which way the water would move by osmosis
2. identify the type of solution (hypertonic/hypotonic/isotonic)

the solution is: hypertonic / hypotonic / isotonic
water will: not move / move into the cell / move out of the cell

the solution is: hypertonic / hypotonic / isotonic
water will: not move / move into the cell / move out of the cell

the solution is: hypertonic / hypotonic / isotonic
water will: not move / move into the cell / move out of the cell

the solution is: hypertonic / hypotonic / isotonic
water will: not move / move into the cell / move out of the cel

Explanation:

Step1: Recall osmosis principles

Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of high water - concentration to an area of low water - concentration across a semi - permeable membrane. A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration (lower water concentration) than the cell, a hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration (higher water concentration) than the cell, and an isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the cell.

Step2: Analyze first case (85% H₂O in solution, 90% H₂O in cell)

The cell has a higher water concentration (90%) than the solution (85%). So the solution is hypertonic. Water will move out of the cell.

Step3: Analyze second case (90% H₂O in solution, 40% H₂O in cell)

The solution has a higher water concentration (90%) than the cell (40%). So the solution is hypotonic. Water will move into the cell.

Step4: Analyze third case (60% H₂O in solution, 75% H₂O in cell)

The cell has a higher water concentration (75%) than the solution (60%). So the solution is hypertonic. Water will move out of the cell.

Step5: Analyze fourth case (75% H₂O in solution, 45% H₂O in cell)

The solution has a higher water concentration (75%) than the cell (45%). So the solution is hypotonic. Water will move into the cell.

Answer:

1. First beaker:

• The solution is: hypertonic
• Water will: move out of the cell

1. Second beaker:

• The solution is: hypotonic
• Water will: move into the cell

1. Third beaker:

• The solution is: hypertonic
• Water will: move out of the cell

1. Fourth beaker:

• The solution is: hypotonic
• Water will: move into the cell