A cell is dropped into a saltwater solution and shrivels up. You infer that, compared to the cell, the type of saltwater solution is(1 point) Responses hypertonic. hypertonic. isotonic. isotonic. hypotonic. hypotonic. tonic.
The correct answer is "hypertonic".
To determine the type of saltwater solution in this scenario, we should understand the concept of tonicity. Tonicity is the measure of the relative concentration of solutes in two fluids separated by a semi-permeable membrane, such as a cell membrane.
When a cell is placed in a solution with a different concentration of solutes than its own cytoplasm, water will move across the cell membrane, either into or out of the cell, in an attempt to balance the concentration on both sides. This movement of water is called osmosis.
There are three possible types of tonicity:
1. Hypertonic solution: In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than inside the cell. As a result, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink or shrivel up.
2. Isotonic solution: In an isotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is equal to that inside the cell. With no net movement of water, the cell maintains its normal shape.
3. Hypotonic solution: In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside the cell. Water moves into the cell to equalize the concentration, causing the cell to swell or burst.
In this case, since the cell shrivels up after being dropped into the saltwater solution, we can infer that the solution is hypertonic, meaning the concentration of solutes in the saltwater solution is higher than inside the cell.