A scientist is studying a unicellular organism. The organism normally looks like image A. Then the scientist places the cell in two different solutions. In the first solution, the cell changes to look like image B. In the second solution, it changes to look like image C. Which statement describes the solution and the movement that would cause both the results for the cells labeled B and C?

(Image A is a normal cell, Image B is a swelling cell, and Image C is a shriveled cell)
A.
Large amounts of water would cause the cell to swell, while reduced amounts would cause it to shrivel.

Question

A scientist is studying a unicellular organism. The organism normally looks like image A. Then the scientist places the cell in two different solutions. In the first solution, the cell changes to look like image B. In the second solution, it changes to look like image C. Which statement describes the solution and the movement that would cause both the results for the cells labeled B and C?  

(Image A is a normal cell, Image B is a swelling cell, and Image C is a shriveled cell)
 A.
Large amounts of water would cause the cell to swell, while reduced amounts would cause it to shrivel.

ann_5297 · Answer

Osmosis. When the cell is placed in a hypotonic solution,one whose concentration is less than that of the cytosol, water moves into the cell,by a process called endosmosis making the cell swell. And when the cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, with its higher concentration, water moves out of the cell through a process called exosmosis which makes the cell shrink.