Multiple choice

A cell placed in a _________ solution will shrink.

  1. isotonic

  2. hypertonic

  3. hypotonic

  4. monotonic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Hypertonic - high solute (salt) concentration and low water level. If the medium has lower concentration of water than the cell, meaning that it is very concentrated solution the cell will lose water by exosmosis. Such a solution is known as hypertonic solution.More water will leave the cell through cell membrane than enters it. Therefore, the cell will shrink. When a living plant cell loses water through osmosis there is shrinkage of the contents of the cell away from cell wall. This phenomenon is known as Plasmolysis (Plasma = protoplasm, lysis - Breakdown) 

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