Isotonic
The cell in the isotonic environment exhibits no net water movement through the cell membrane because the concentration of solute is equal outside and inside the cell.
Let’s Investigate
In this hands-on lab you will examine the effect that different concentrations of salt solution have on the cells of plant tissue. The cells that make up plant tissues have semipermeable membranes that allow water to pass through, depending on the concentration of solute outside the cell.
Osmosis in a Plant Cell
Hypotonic
The cell in the hypotonic environment has a greater concentration of solute inside the cell than outside the cell, and water diffuses across the semipermeable membrane into the cell, causing the cell to swell.
Hypertonic
Because the solution outside the cell in the hypertonic environment has a higher solute concentration than inside the cell, water inside the cell diffuses out, causing the cell to shrink.
Question
How will the volumes of plant tissue samples respond to hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic environments?
The volume of the tissue in the hypotonic environment will increase, the volume of the tissue in the isotonic environment will remain constant, and the volume of the tissue in the hypertonic environment will decrease.
Click the Activity button below to access the Osmosis Hands-On Lab assignment worksheet. When you have completed this worksheet, submit it to your teacher.
