Question

Which type of solution would cause a bacterium with a weak or damaged cell wall to burst as water moves into the cell? view available hint(s) which type of solution would cause a bacterium with a weak or damaged cell wall to burst as water moves into the cell? either a hypotonic or an isotonic solution a hypertonic solution a hypotonic solution an isotonic solution?

Answer 1

A hypotonic solution would cause the bacterial cell to lyse or burst. This happens via osmosis. When the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell, water will move towards that higher concentration because it tries to balance things out. When a lot of water gets into the cell and it can no longer handle it anymore, it will burst or lyse.