What is Hypotonic Solution?
A hypotonic solution is a solution which has a less solute concentration such as ions, salts, or other molecules compared to the inside of the cell. In a hypotonic solution, water tends to move into cells. This take place due to osmosis, the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. In plant cell, as the water enters the cell it gains turgor pressure and provide support to the plant. Plant cell do not burst since they have a rigid cell wall and additional water is taken up by vacuole present in the centre of the cell. In animals as the water enters the cell, it swells and cause lysis of cell.
Examples of hypotonic solution
Few examples of hypotonic solution are mentioned below:
- Freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers, are hypotonic as compared to the cells of aquatic organisms.
- The soil around plant roots contains a hypotonic solution, causing water to move into plant cells.
- To treat dehydration in the patients, hypotonic solutions such as 0.45% saline are used.
Difference Between Hypotonic and Hypertonic Solution
Hypotonic and Hypertonic solutions are two types of solutions based on osmolarity. A solution is comprised of two types of components: solute and solvent. A hypotonic solution has more solvent and less solute than a cell, causing water to enter the cell and leading to cell swelling. A hypertonic solution has more solute and less solvent than a cell, causing water to leave the cell and leading to cell shrinkage. Therefore, the difference between hypotonic and hypertonic solutions is the concentration of solutes. Understanding the effects of these solutions is important in various fields including biology, medicine, and environmental science.
Table of Content
- Difference Between Hypotonic and Hypertonic Solution
- What is Hypotonic Solution?
- What is Hypertonic Solution?
- Similarities Between Hypotonic and Hypertonic
- Conclusion – Difference between hypotonic and hypertonic solution