Question

A plant cell shrinks from a lack of water. what term describes the environment outside the cell?

a. hypotonic
b. hypertonic
c. osmotic
d. permeable

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer B. Hypertonic

Hypertonic environment or solution is the one, which consists of the higher concentration of solute outside the cell than the inside. This means that the concentration of water (solvent) is less outside the cell than inside.

Water travels from higher to lower concentration. Therefore, when a plant cell is in a hypertonic solution, water will move outside the cell. Due to this, plant cell experiences lack of water. This causes shrinkage in the cell.

Thus, B. Hypertonic is the correct answer.