Humber Admissions Practice Test

In a hypotonic solution, what happens to the cell?

1. The cell shrinks due to water loss

2. The cell stays the same size

3. The cell bursts due to water influx

4. The cell becomes flaccid and wilts

The correct answer is: The cell bursts due to water influx

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than that inside the cell. This creates a scenario in which water moves into the cell through osmosis in an attempt to equalize solute concentrations. As water enters the cell, it causes the cell to swell significantly. If too much water flows in, the internal pressure can exceed the structural limits of the cell membrane, leading to the cell bursting, a process known as lysis. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in animal cells, which lack a rigid cell wall found in plant cells. While plant cells can also take in water and swell, they have a cell wall that helps prevent bursting by exerting pressure (turgor), resulting in a firm and turgid state rather than bursting. In summary, in a hypotonic solution, the influx of water can lead to cellular bursting due to the osmotic imbalance, making this the correct understanding of what occurs in such environments.