Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

What does the term hypotonic refer to in the context of cellular solutions?

1. Equal solute, equal water

2. Less solute, more water

3. More solute, less water

4. No solute, pure water

The correct answer is: Less solute, more water

In the context of cellular solutions, "hypotonic" refers to a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell. This means that there is less solute and more water in the hypotonic solution. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell through osmosis in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. This influx of water can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst if the difference in concentrations is significant enough. Understanding the dynamic of hypotonic solutions is critical in various biological processes, including cell function and homeostasis, as it directly relates to how cells interact with their environment.