Question

multiple choice question
a cell is placed in a 15% nacl solution and the cell shrinks. how would you describe the solution?

isotonic
hypotonic
hypertonic

Explanation:

To determine the type of solution, we analyze the effect on the cell. A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration (here, NaCl) than the cell's interior. When a cell is in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell (via osmosis) to the area of higher solute concentration, causing the cell to shrink. An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the cell (no net water movement, cell size remains), and a hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration (water moves into the cell, cell swells). Since the cell shrinks, the 15% NaCl solution is hypertonic. The initially selected "Hypotonic" is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Hypertonic (Note: Assuming the options are labeled as A. Isotonic, B. Hypotonic, C. Hypertonic for clarity, the correct option is C. Hypertonic as the cell shrinks due to water leaving it, indicating the solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell.)