Having the same solute concentration as another solution is described as which?

Having the same solute concentration as another solution is described as which?

• A. Hypertonic
• B. Hypotonic
• C. Isotonic
• D. Osmosis

Answer: (C)

Having the same solute concentration as another solution is described as isotonic. In isotonic conditions, the osmotic pressures on both sides of a cell membrane are balanced, so there is no net movement of water and the cell’s size stays the same. Osmosis drives water movement from areas of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. If the outside solution is hypertonic (more solute outside), water leaves the cell and it shrinks; if the outside is hypotonic (less solute outside), water enters and the cell swells.

Having the same solute concentration as another solution is described as isotonic. In isotonic conditions, the osmotic pressures on both sides of a cell membrane are balanced, so there is no net movement of water and the cell’s size stays the same.

Osmosis drives water movement from areas of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. If the outside solution is hypertonic (more solute outside), water leaves the cell and it shrinks; if the outside is hypotonic (less solute outside), water enters and the cell swells.