hi, I'm confused on the hypotonic and hypertonic solutions, I thought that if the solution is hypotonic then it has less solutes in it while hypertonic has more (which is why it shrivels, since it has too much of the solute concentration) and hypo means less than and hyper means more?
Hi, so let me elaborate on the exact verbiage used here: So I say - Let’s transfer the cell to a solution that is **hypertonic** to the cell (*hyper* means “more,” in this case referring to nonpenetrating solutes). The cell will lose water, shrivel, and probably die. This is why an increase in the salinity (saltiness) of a lake can kill the animals there; if the lake water becomes hyper- tonic to the animals’ cells, they might shrivel and die. - However, taking up too much water can be just as hazardous as losing water. If we place the cell in a solution that is **hypotonic** to the cell (*hypo* means “less”), water will enter the cell faster than it leaves, and the cell will swell and lyse (burst) like an overfilled water balloon. The key is in referencing the use of the word to the situation. So in short: 1. Hypertonic Solution: This is a solution with a higher solute concentration compared to the cell’s interior. When cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell into the solution, causing the cell to shrink or shrivel. This process can lead to cell death. In the example of lake water becoming hypertonic due to increased salinity, the cells of animals in the lake lose water, shrivel, and may die. 2. Hypotonic Solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell’s interior. When cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, leading to swelling and potentially bursting (lysis). This is analogous to an overfilled water balloon.
hi, I'm confused on the hypotonic and hypertonic solutions, I thought that if the solution is hypotonic then it has less solutes in it while hypertonic has more (which is why it shrivels, since it has too much of the solute concentration) and hypo means less than and hyper means more?
Hi, so let me elaborate on the exact verbiage used here: So I say - Let’s transfer the cell to a solution that is **hypertonic** to the cell (*hyper*
means “more,” in this case referring to nonpenetrating solutes). The cell will
lose water, shrivel, and probably die. This is why an increase in the salinity
(saltiness) of a lake can kill the animals there; if the lake water becomes hyper-
tonic to the animals’ cells, they might shrivel and die.
- However, taking up too much water can be just as hazardous as losing water. If we place the cell in a solution that is **hypotonic** to the cell (*hypo* means “less”), water will enter the cell faster than it leaves, and the cell will swell and lyse (burst) like an overfilled water balloon.
The key is in referencing the use of the word to the situation.
So in short:
1. Hypertonic Solution: This is a solution with a higher solute concentration compared to the cell’s interior. When cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell into the solution, causing the cell to shrink or shrivel. This process can lead to cell death. In the example of lake water becoming hypertonic due to increased salinity, the cells of animals in the lake lose water, shrivel, and may die.
2. Hypotonic Solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell’s interior. When cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, leading to swelling and potentially bursting (lysis). This is analogous to an overfilled water balloon.