Hypertonic

Definition

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside it, leading to water moving out of the cell via osmosis. This can cause the cell to shrink as it loses water.

Related terms

Osmosis: The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Isotonic: A solution that has the same concentration of solutes as the cell interior, resulting in no net movement of water into or out of the cell.

Hypotonic: A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside it, causing water to move into the cell and potentially leading to swelling or bursting