What occurs during hypertonic conditions in a cell?

In hypertonic conditions, a cell is exposed to an environment where the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than that inside the cell. As a result, water moves out of the cell in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. This process, known as osmosis, leads to a decrease in the cell's volume, causing the cell to shrivel.

This phenomenon can be observed when a cell is placed in a solution such as saltwater. The net movement of water out of the cell results in dehydration of the cytoplasm, leading to various physiological changes that can negatively affect cell function. Ultimately, this shrinkage can impair cellular activities and, if extreme, can lead to cell death. Understanding how hypertonic conditions affect cells is crucial in fields such as biology and healthcare, as it has implications for treatments and understanding fluid balance in the body.