In a hypertonic solution, a bacterial cell will typically:

• A. lose water and undergo plasmolysis
• B. remain unchanged
• C. burst due to osmotic pressure
• D. gain water and swell

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of tonicity: A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration outside the bacterial cell compared to the inside, creating an osmotic gradient.
2. Recall osmosis principles: Water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the cell) to higher solute concentration (outside the cell) to balance solute levels.
3. Apply this to the bacterial cell: In a hypertonic environment, water will move out of the bacterial cell to the surrounding solution.
4. Consider the effect on the bacterial cell: Loss of water causes the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall, a process known as plasmolysis.
5. Conclude that the bacterial cell will lose water and undergo plasmolysis in a hypertonic solution, rather than remaining unchanged, bursting, or gaining water.