Cell Transport: Osmosis Tonicity Worksheet - Free Printable

I will solve this tonicity worksheet by analyzing each scenario and determining whether the cells will undergo hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic conditions. Let me go through each one step by step.

First, I need to understand the definitions provided in the worksheet:

1. Osmosis: The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.
2. Hypertonic: A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.
3. Isotonic: A solution with the same concentration of solutes as another solution.
4. Hypotonic: A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.
5. Equilibrium: A state where there is no net movement of water across a membrane because the solute concentrations are equal on both sides.

Now, let's analyze each scenario:

Scenario 6: A cucumber is placed in vinegar, water, and salt to create pickles. During this process, the cucumber shrinks.
- The cucumber shrinking indicates that water is leaving the cucumber cells.
- This happens when the external solution (vinegar, water, and salt) has a higher solute concentration than the inside of the cucumber cells.
- Therefore, the solution is hypertonic.

Scenario 7: Contact lens solution is salty in order to match your tears.
- The solution is designed to match the concentration of your tears.
- This means the solute concentration is the same inside and outside the cells.
- Therefore, the solution is isotonic.

Scenario 8: You notice a plant is looking wilted. You water it, and soon after, the plant is standing up straight again.
- The plant was wilted because it was losing water to its environment, indicating a hypertonic external environment.
- When you water it, you are providing a hypotonic environment (lower solute concentration), allowing water to enter the plant cells.
- Therefore, watering the plant creates a hypotonic environment for the cells.

Scenario 9: A man stranded on a deserted island feels thirstier after drinking ocean water.
- Ocean water has a very high salt concentration.
- When the man drinks it, the high solute concentration in his body fluids causes water to leave his cells, making him feel even thirstier.
- Therefore, ocean water is hypertonic relative to the man's body cells.

Scenario 10: Grocery stores spray vegetables with water to keep them fresh.
- Spraying vegetables with water provides a hypotonic environment, causing water to enter the vegetable cells and keeping them turgid and fresh.
- Therefore, the water spray creates a hypotonic environment.

Scenario 11: A swimmer’s person at the seashore is given an IV of saline, which is a saltwater solution.
- Saline solution used in IVs is typically isotonic (0.9% NaCl) to match the concentration of human blood plasma.
- This prevents any net movement of water into or out of the cells.
- Therefore, the saline solution is isotonic.

Scenario 12: A salmon fisherman is keeping fish in a freshwater tank.
- Freshwater has a much lower solute concentration than the fish's body fluids.
- This causes water to enter the fish's cells, which can be harmful if not regulated.
- Therefore, the freshwater environment is hypotonic for the fish.

Scenario 13: A dog that is sprayed with salt will shrink up and die.
- Salt creates a hypertonic environment around the dog's cells.
- Water leaves the cells, causing them to shrink (crenate) and potentially leading to cell death.
- Therefore, the salt environment is hypertonic.

Scenario 14: You notice after sprinkling strawberries with sugar, the strawberries look wet.
- Sugar creates a hypertonic environment around the strawberry cells.
- Water leaves the cells, causing the strawberries to appear wet as the water oozes out.
- Therefore, the sugar environment is hypertonic.

Scenario 15: Some sports drinks contain small amounts of salts and sugars so the human body is in equilibrium.
- Sports drinks are formulated to be isotonic to help maintain fluid balance in the body.
- They aim to match the solute concentration of body fluids to prevent water loss or gain from cells.
- Therefore, the sports drink is isotonic.

In summary:
- Scenario 6: Hypertonic
- Scenario 7: Isotonic
- Scenario 8: Hypotonic
- Scenario 9: Hypertonic
- Scenario 10: Hypotonic
- Scenario 11: Isotonic
- Scenario 12: Hypotonic
- Scenario 13: Hypertonic
- Scenario 14: Hypertonic
- Scenario 15: Isotonic

This completes the analysis of the tonicity worksheet.