2019 · Q6
Which one of the following will happen if the medium surrounding the cell has a higher concentration than the cell?
general-sciencebiology-human-body
- AThe cell will gain water
- BThe cell will die
- CThere will be no change
- DThe cell will lose water
Explanation
If the surrounding medium has a higher solute concentration (hypertonic), water moves out of the cell across the semi-permeable membrane by osmosis, from the region of lower to higher solute concentration. The cell therefore loses water and shrinks (plasmolysis in plant cells). The correct outcome is D. The stored key A has been corrected per UPSC's official answer key.