What will happen if we put an animal cell or plant cell into a solution of sugar or salt in water ?
Answers
"1. If sugar or salt solution is less concentrated than the cytoplasm, then, the cell will swell.
2. If sugar or salt solution is more concentrated than the cytoplasm, then, the cell will shrink.
3. If the concentration of sugar or salt solution is the same as that of cytoplasm, then, no change will occur
"
Depending on the concentration difference between the cell and the solution the following three things could happen:
(i) If the solution surrounding the cell is less concentrated (hypotonic) than the cytoplasm, the water will move into the cell, i.e., the cell will gain water and swell.
(ii) If the solution has the same concentration as that of cytoplasm of cell, there will be no net movement of water across the cell membrane, i.e., no gain or loss of water from the cell.
(iii) If the solution is highly concentrated (hypertonic) as compared to the cytoplasm, i.e., the solution is concentrated, the cell will lose water by osmosis.