Quick Question: Hypertonic or Hypotonic

[simpleguy45]

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Vibrio alginolyticus is an alkali-tolerant marine bacterium with an internal salt concentration less than that of its normal surrounding medium

With respect to the surrounding medium, are Vibrio hypertonic or hypotonic?

Please explain. I need help.

 

[sciencebooks]

Vibrio alginolyticus is an alkali-tolerant marine bacterium with an internal salt concentration less than that of its normal surrounding medium

With respect to the surrounding medium, are Vibrio hypertonic or hypotonic?

Please explain. I need help.

Inside bacteria = less solute
Outside bacteria = more solute

It is asking about within the BACTERIA itself. There is less inside than there is outside. Less = hypo = hypotonic.

So thus, osmotic pressure would pull water out and the cell would shrivel.

 

[simpleguy45]

Okay still confused!!! --->



I was taught that if there is more [sugar] outside of the cell, then the cell is hypertonic (((Water would LEAVE cell)). Is there a difference when the solute is sugar or salt? I know sugar can't cross the membrane... is that why? So, (hypertonic vs. hypotonic) depends on whether solute can cross membrane?

 

[sciencebooks]

Tonicity depends on solute. On the MCAT, I always see it tested as salts/ions but sugar exhibits the same patterns in terms of osmosis.