For the following two questions, describe the solution ?n terms of tonicity (hyp
ID: 33079 • Letter: F
Question
For the following two questions, describe the solution ?n terms of tonicity (hypotonic, hypertonic, or isotonic). Remember that tonicity is a relative description, you must describe the solutions tonicity relative to the other solution. 1. If you were observing plant cells, and the cells were flaccid, what solution would you add to the cells to make them turgid? 2. If you were observing animal cells, and the cells were shriveled, what steps should you take to make the cells physiologically normal, and then maintain them in this condition? [Think about this carefully, the question is more complicated than you might think at first.] ReplyExplanation / Answer
According to the concentration of the solute, the water move across the membrane (osmosis), this ability of osmosis to draw water to build up certain pressure is called osmotic pressure. So, water always moves to maintain uniform pressure in and outside of the cell, hence all the intracellular and extracellular fluids are isotonic.
The fluids having lower osmotic pressure than the body fluids are known as hypotonic solutions. If cells are placed in hypotonic solution, they draw water from the solution and swell.
The fluids having more osmotic pressure than the body fluids are known as hypertonic solutions. The cells placed in hypertonic solutions shrink as they lose water into the surrounding hypertonic solution.
1. If the cells are flaccid, put them in water, they will take water and become normal.
2. If the cells are shriveleld, put them in hypotonic solution, they will take more fluid insie and become normal.