What is the effect of a hypertonic solution on cell volume?

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. When a cell is placed in such a solution, water moves out of the cell and into the surrounding fluid in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. This process is known as osmosis.

As water leaves the cell, the volume of the cell decreases, leading to a shrinkage in size. This effect can cause the cell to become plasmolyzed, which can impair its function and may lead to cell death if the hypertonic environment persists.

In contrast, when cells are in a hypotonic solution, they would swell due to water influx, and in isotonic solutions, they would maintain their size. Thus, the correct understanding of a hypertonic solution clearly illustrates that cells lose water and shrink.