What happens to a cell if it gets placed in salt water?

Answer 1

Osmosis! The concentration of substances disolved in the cytoplasm is lower than the concentration of salt in salt water. The cytoplasm and the salt water are separated by the cell membrane, which is semi-permeable ie it lets water through but not dissolved substances (the membrane is also described as partially permeable or selectively permeable). So, water will pass by osmosis from the cytoplasm (the dilute solution) to the salt water (the concentrated solution), and the cell will shrink as it loses water. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/Biology/cellprocesses/2diffusionandosmosisrev3.shtml

Answer 2

it will shrink because of osmosis

ANSWER:They will shrivel up and die because the saltwater will dehydrate them by absorbing the freshwater inside the cell. Research Tonicity (Isotonic, Hypertonic, and Hypotonic)

(red blood cell placed in hypotonic solution will result in Crenation)

Answer 3

to acheive equilibrium, water moves out of the human cell into the salt water. That is because the water from the cell would try and balance out the solute-solvent balance in the water. This process would be called reverse osmosis (associated with diffusion). The cells may die.

Answer 4

if you place a cell in salt water, one of two things can happen. if the cell does not have a cell wall, then this is a hypertonic solution. according to osmosis, the cell will try to reach equilibrium by pushing as much water out of the cell as possible to lower the concentration of salt outside the cell. this will cause the cell to shrink. if the cell does have a cell wall, the membrane will shrink away from the wall. both cases can be bad for the cell if the concentration difference is too high.

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Answer 5

When cells are placed in a solution of salt water, the salt water will draw the water out of the cell and as the water is being drawn out the cell will shrink in size.

Answer 6

They would shrink due to osmosis.