Which describes a hypotonic environment for a microorganism with a cell wall?

Which describes a hypotonic environment for a microorganism with a cell wall?

• A. Water moves out; cell shrinks
• B. Water moves in; cell may burst
• C. No net water movement
• D. Water movement depends on temperature

Answer: (B)

In a hypotonic environment, the external solution has fewer solutes than the inside of the cell, so water tends to move into the cell. For a microorganism with a cell wall, this inward flow of water increases turgor pressure, and the rigid wall resists outward rupture. That’s why describing the situation as water moving in and the cell becoming turgid (and potentially bursting only if the wall is compromised or under extreme conditions) fits best. The other scenarios describe water leaving the cell in a hypertonic environment, no net water movement in an isotonic environment, or effects driven by temperature rather than solute balance.

In a hypotonic environment, the external solution has fewer solutes than the inside of the cell, so water tends to move into the cell. For a microorganism with a cell wall, this inward flow of water increases turgor pressure, and the rigid wall resists outward rupture. That’s why describing the situation as water moving in and the cell becoming turgid (and potentially bursting only if the wall is compromised or under extreme conditions) fits best. The other scenarios describe water leaving the cell in a hypertonic environment, no net water movement in an isotonic environment, or effects driven by temperature rather than solute balance.