Which term describes a solution with a higher solute concentration relative to another?

Which term describes a solution with a higher solute concentration relative to another?

• A. Isotonic
• B. Hypotonic
• C. Hypertonic
• D. Energy

Answer: (C)

Tonicity describes how solute concentration compares between two solutions. A solution that has a higher solute concentration than another is hypertonic. This means water would move out of the cell or the less concentrated solution to try to balance concentrations, which is why cells in a hypertonic environment tend to lose water and shrink. In contrast, an isotonic solution has equal solute concentrations (no net water movement), and a hypotonic solution has lower solute concentration (water tends to enter the cell, potentially causing swelling). The term energy isn’t used to describe this relationship, so the correct choice is hypertonic.

Tonicity describes how solute concentration compares between two solutions. A solution that has a higher solute concentration than another is hypertonic. This means water would move out of the cell or the less concentrated solution to try to balance concentrations, which is why cells in a hypertonic environment tend to lose water and shrink. In contrast, an isotonic solution has equal solute concentrations (no net water movement), and a hypotonic solution has lower solute concentration (water tends to enter the cell, potentially causing swelling). The term energy isn’t used to describe this relationship, so the correct choice is hypertonic.