A hypertonic solution causes water to:

A hypertonic solution causes water to:

• A. Exit cells, causing cell shrinkage.
• B. Enter cells, causing swelling
• C. Remain inside cells unchanged
• D. Equalize with intracellular fluid

Answer: (A)

Osmosis moves water across a membrane toward the side with higher solute concentration. In a hypertonic solution, the outside has more solutes than the inside of the cell, so water flows out to balance the gradient. As water leaves, the cell loses volume and shrinks. If water were to enter, swelling would occur, which happens with a hypotonic solution; remaining unchanged or equalizing with intracellular fluid describes isotonic conditions.

Osmosis moves water across a membrane toward the side with higher solute concentration. In a hypertonic solution, the outside has more solutes than the inside of the cell, so water flows out to balance the gradient. As water leaves, the cell loses volume and shrinks. If water were to enter, swelling would occur, which happens with a hypotonic solution; remaining unchanged or equalizing with intracellular fluid describes isotonic conditions.