TeXes Science Practice Test

What happens to a cell during osmosis when transferred from saltwater to freshwater?

1. The cell shrinks

2. The cell remains unchanged

3. The cell bursts

4. The cell grows in size

The correct answer is: The cell bursts

When a cell is transferred from saltwater to freshwater, it experiences a shift in the movement of water across its membrane due to osmosis. In saltwater, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than that inside the cell, causing water to move out of the cell, leading to cell shrinkage. When moved to freshwater, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside. As a result, water moves into the cell to balance the concentration of solutes. This influx of water can cause the cell to swell, and if the osmotic pressure is high enough, it may lead to the cell bursting, a phenomenon known as cytolysis. Thus, the correct answer is that the cell can burst when it is placed in freshwater after being in saltwater, as this sudden influx of water can overwhelm the cell’s ability to maintain its structure.