Question

If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the water will move ________ of the cell and the cell will _________.

Answer 1

If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the water will move out of the cell and the cell will shrivel.

The root word hypo means "above" or "excessive". In a hypertonic solution, there is a higher solute percentage than there is a percentage of water. Because there isn't enough water to flow into the cell, all the water inside the cell will flow out, causing it to shrink. (Water likes to move from higher concentrations to lower concentrations, which is why this happens.)