DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF OSMOLARITY
1. DRAW a picture of a cell placed in a hypotonic solution that shows the relative amount of
dissolved particles (e.g. salt) in the cell vs. in the solution.
a. Where is there a higher concentration of dissolved particles: inside or outside of the cell? .
b. Where is there a higher concentration of water: inside or outside of the cell?
c. What flows into/out of the cell: water or dissolved particles such as salt (Na+
Cl-)?
d. Which direction will water flow: into or out of the cell? .
e. What will happen to an animal cell placed in this solution?
f. Will a plant cell placed in this solution lose or gain weight, and why?
2. DRAW a picture of a cell placed in a hypertonic solution that shows the relative amount of
dissolved particles (e.g. salt) in the cell vs. in the solution.
a. Where is there a higher concentration of dissolved particles: inside or outside of the cell?
b. Where is there a higher concentration of water: inside or outside of the cell? .
c. What flows into/out of the cell: water or dissolved particles such as salt (Na+
Cl-)?
d. Which direction will water flow: into or out of the cell? .
e. What will happen to an animal cell placed in this solution?
f. Will a plant cell placed in this solution lose or gain weight, and why?
3. DRAW a picture of a cell placed in an isotonic solution that shows the relative amount of dissolved
particles (e.g. salt) in the cell vs. in the solution.
a. Compare the concentration of dissolved particles on the inside and outside of the cell .
b. Do you expect water to flow into or out of the cell? Explain .
c. What will happen to an animal cell placed in this solution?.
d. Why will a plant cell placed in this solution neither lose or gain weight? .
