Predict the Effect of Hypertonic Fluid on a Cell

Question

Predict the effect of hypertonic fluid on a cell.
A)Hypertonic fluids cause water to simultaneously be pulled into and then pushed out of a cell.
B)Hypertonic fluids cause water to be pulled into the cytosol and the cell swells.
C)Hypertonic fluids cause no water movement into or out of the cell.
D)Hypertonic fluids cause water to move out of the cytosol and the cell shrinks.

Accepted Answer

Hypertonic fluids have a higher solute concentration than the cytosol of the cell. This causes water to move out of the cell to achieve equilibrium, leading to the cell shrinking or crenating. Therefore, hypertonic fluid causes water to move out of the cytosol and the cell shrinks.