A hypertonic solution has a ___ osmotic pressure than a hypotonic solution.
The correct answer and explanation is:
A hypertonic solution has a higher osmotic pressure than a hypotonic solution.
Osmotic pressure refers to the pressure required to stop the flow of water through a semipermeable membrane that separates two solutions with different concentrations of solutes. It is directly proportional to the concentration of solute particles in a solution. The greater the concentration of solutes in a solution, the higher its osmotic pressure.
In the context of hypertonic and hypotonic solutions, the key difference is the relative concentration of solutes. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the solution on the other side of the membrane. This results in a higher osmotic pressure because the solutes pull water molecules toward themselves through the membrane. As a result, water will move from the hypotonic solution (the one with a lower solute concentration) into the hypertonic solution, causing the volume of the hypertonic solution to increase.
In contrast, a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes, so it has a lower osmotic pressure. Water moves from the hypotonic solution toward the hypertonic solution to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides of the membrane. This is why cells placed in a hypotonic solution can swell and even burst, as water enters the cell to dilute the internal solute concentration.
In summary, the osmotic pressure is higher in a hypertonic solution due to the greater concentration of solute particles. This creates a stronger pull on water, making it a more effective “draw” for water molecules than a hypotonic solution, where the solute concentration is lower.