In a solution of salt and water, if the concentration of salt molecules is greater outside a cell than inside, then water molecules will __________.

A.
move into the cell, and the cell will shrivel

B.
move into the cell, and the cell will burst

C.
move out of the cell, and the cell will shrivel

D.
move out of the cell, and the cell will burst

Question

In a solution of salt and water, if the concentration of salt molecules is greater outside a cell than inside, then water molecules will __________.	
 
 A.
move into the cell, and the cell will shrivel
 
 B.
move into the cell, and the cell will burst
 
 C.
move out of the cell, and the cell will shrivel
 
 D.
move out of the cell, and the cell will burst

anonymous · Answer

water moves from an area of less solute concentration (hypotonic) to an area of greater solute concentration (hypertonic) through osmosis. It's really the same as any other type of passive transport. An area of low solute concentration would have a greater amount of water, so the water is still moving from a high to low concentration. Just be careful whether you are speaking in terms of water (solvent) or salt (solute).

Since the outside of the cell is hypertonic to the inside, the water will move __________ and the cell will _________ from a loss of water. Hope this helps. On a side note, not sure why an osmosis question is in the language and culture are but, hey, to each their own.