A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will happen to it?

When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, it loses water and shrinks because water moves out of the cell.

Key Concept

Term	Meaning
Hypertonic Solution	Solution with higher solute concentration than the cell
Osmosis	Movement of water from low solute to high solute concentration

Key Effects

Effect	Impact	Explanation
Water Loss	Cell shrinks	Water moves out to balance concentration
Cell Shape Change	Becomes shrunken	Plasma membrane pulls inward
Plant Cell	Plasmolysis	Cell membrane separates from cell wall
Animal Cell	Shrinkage	No cell wall, so it just shrinks

Stepwise Understanding

1. Cell is placed in hypertonic solution

2. Outside solution has more solute than inside

3. Water moves out of the cell through osmosis

4. Cell starts losing volume

5. Cell shrinks

Important Concept

Water always moves from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

Real Insight

In plant cells, this condition causes plasmolysis, where the cell membrane detaches from the wall, which can damage the cell if prolonged.

So overall, hypertonic solution causes water loss and shrinkage of the cell.