Final answer:
Cells react to hypertonic and hypotonic solutions based on water movement; in hypotonic solutions, water enters causing animal cells to burst and plant cells to become turgid, while in hypertonic solutions, both cell types lose water, with animal cells shrinking and plant cells undergoing plasmolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Cells React to Hypertonic and Hypotonic Solutions
When animal and plant cells are placed in different fluid environments, their reaction is determined by the tonicity of the solution. In a hypotonic solution, where the solute concentration is lower than inside the cell, water enters the cell. This can cause animal cells to swell and potentially burst, while plant cells become turgid due to the presence of a rigid cell wall which prevents them from bursting. On the other hand, in a hypertonic solution, with higher solute concentration outside the cell compared to the inside, water leaves the cell. Animal cells may shrivel or crenate and plant cells undergo plasmolysis, where the cell membrane detaches from the cell wall and the cell becomes flaccid.
These cellular changes are critical for the survival of the cells and are regulated via osmoregulation. Plant cells ideally need a hypotonic environment to maintain turgor pressure, which supports the plant structure. In contrast, animal cells require an isotonic environment where the solute concentration is balanced to avoid damage from excessive swelling or shrinkage.