Which term describes a solution that has the same water potential as the cell?

Which term describes a solution that has the same water potential as the cell?

• A. Law
• B. Polarity
• C. Isotonic
• D. Constant

Answer: (C)

Water moves by osmosis from higher to lower water potential. When the surrounding solution has the same water potential as the cell, there is no net movement of water across the membrane, so the cell’s size stays the same. This balance is called isotonic. In isotonic conditions, the solute concentration outside matches the inside, preventing swelling or shrinking. This contrasts with hypertonic or hypotonic environments, where water moves in or out and the cell changes size.

Water moves by osmosis from higher to lower water potential. When the surrounding solution has the same water potential as the cell, there is no net movement of water across the membrane, so the cell’s size stays the same. This balance is called isotonic. In isotonic conditions, the solute concentration outside matches the inside, preventing swelling or shrinking. This contrasts with hypertonic or hypotonic environments, where water moves in or out and the cell changes size.