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

Best Answer

Osmosis will take place and the movement of water molecules will depend on the concentration of the surrounding solution. 

1. If the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than the cell, it means that the outside solution is very dilute, then the cell will gain water by osmosis. Such a solution is known as a hypotonic solution. The cell is likely to swell up. This is called endosmosis. 
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 a solution is known as an isotonic solution. The cell will stay the same size.
3.  If the solution 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 a solution is known as a hypertonic solution. The cell will shrink. This process is called exosmosis.