What occurs when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution?

When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. This difference in concentration creates an osmotic gradient, causing water to move out of the cell and into the surrounding solution in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations. As water exits the cell, it loses volume and shrinks.

This process, known as crenation in red blood cells, leads to noticeable cellular dehydration and a reduction in size. Understanding this principle is crucial, particularly in contexts such as fluid therapy, where the effects of different solutions on cell volume can greatly impact the functioning of cells and overall homeostasis.