How does the concentration of solutes in a hypertonic solution compare to the cell's?

Rationale

The concentration of solutes in a hypertonic solution is higher than the cell's.

In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell exceeds that inside the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell to balance the concentrations. This results in cell shrinkage, a process known as crenation.

A (Same as) YOUR ANSWER

A hypertonic solution cannot have a solute concentration that is the same as that of the cell. If the concentrations were equal, the solution would be isotonic, and there would be no net movement of water across the cell membrane, which contradicts the definition of a hypertonic solution.

B (Lower than) YOUR ANSWER

A hypertonic solution must have a solute concentration that is higher than that of the cell. If the concentration were lower, the solution would be classified as hypotonic, causing water to enter the cell and potentially leading to cell lysis rather than shrinkage.

C (Higher than) CORRECT

This is the correct answer, as a hypertonic solution is characterized by a greater concentration of solutes compared to the cytoplasm of the cell. This difference in concentration gradient causes water to move out of the cell, leading to a decrease in cell volume.

D (Negative) YOUR ANSWER

The term "negative" does not apply to the comparison of solute concentrations in this context. Concentrations are expressed as positive values, and describing a concentration as negative is not scientifically valid. Thus, this option does not accurately represent the relationship between solute concentrations.

Conclusion

In summary, a hypertonic solution has a solute concentration that is higher than that of the cell, resulting in water leaving the cell and causing it to shrink. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping cell behavior in various osmotic environments, which has important implications in biological and medical fields.

How does the concentration of solutes in a hypertonic solution compare to the cell's?

The concentration of solutes in a hypertonic solution is higher than the cell's.

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