What will happen if we put an animal cell or plant cell into a solution of sugar in water?

Depending on the concentration difference between the cell and the solution the following three things could happen:

(i) If the solution surrounding the cell is less concentrated (hypotonic) than the cytoplasm, the water will move into the cell, i.e., the cell will gain water and swell.

(ii) If the solution has the same concentration as that of cytoplasm of cell, there will be no net movement of water across the cell membrane, i.e., no gain or loss of water from the cell.

(iii) If the solution is highly concentrated (hypertonic) as compared to the cytoplasm, i.e., the solution is concentrated, the cell will lose water by osmosis.

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One of the following three things could happen : 1. if the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than the cell, meaning that outside solution is very dilute, the cell will gain water by osmosis such a solution is known as a hypotonic solution. Water molecules are free to pass across the cell membrane in both directions, but more water will come into the cell that will give the net (overall) result is that water enters. The cell is likely to swell up. 2.If the medium has exactly the same water concentration as the cell there will be no net movement of water across the cell membrane such solution is known as a isotonic solution. Water crossing the cell membrane in both direction but the amount going in is the same as the amount going out so there is no overall movement of water. The cell will stay the same size.

3.If the medium has a lower concentration of water than the cell, meaning that it is a very concentrated solution, the cell will lose water by osmosis such solution is known as hypertonic solution. Again water crosses the same membrane in both directions but this time more water leaves the cell than enter it. Therefore, the cell will shrink.