Question

now, lets consider how water moves when a cell is placed in three types of solutions.
three types of solutions
hypotonic solution
hypertonic solution
isotonic solution
solute
net water gain, cell swells
net water loss, cell shrinks
no net loss or gain
type of solution example effect
hypotonic a red blood cell is placed in a solution that has more water (or greater solvent concentration) outside the cell than inside the cell. water flows into the cell. the cell swells and possibly bursts.
hypertonic a red blood cell is placed in a solution that has less water (or lower solvent concentration) outside the cell than inside the cell. water flows out of the cell. the cell shrinks.
isotonic a red blood cell is placed in a liquid with an equal amount of water outside the cell and inside the cell. there is no net movement of water. this is osmotic balance.
your turn

1. write one of the three types of solutions next to its description or example.

description solution type
a. your cells are in osmotic balance and, thus, do not shrink or swell. isotonic
b. this is why the liquid portion of your blood is not pure water.
c. this is why few organisms live in the highly salty dead sea.

Explanation:

a. Osmotic balance with no cell - shrinkage or swelling indicates an isotonic solution as there is no net water movement.
b. The liquid portion of blood not being pure water is because blood cells need an isotonic environment to maintain their normal shape and function.
c. The highly salty Dead Sea has a hypertonic environment compared to most organisms' cells. Water would flow out of the cells of most organisms, causing them to shrink, which is why few organisms can live there.

Answer:

a. Isotonic
b. Isotonic
c. Hypertonic