Effect of Solutions on Cells
What happens when cells are place in different kinds of solutions
Plant cells placed in a hypertonic solution will undergo plasmolysis, a condition where the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall as the cell shrinks. The cell wall is rigid and does not shrink.
 | The Elodea cells have been placed in a 10% NaCl solution. The contents of the cells have been reduced to the spherical structures shown.
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 | Normal Elodea cells
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Animal cells placed in a hypertonic solution will undergo crenation, a condition where the cell shrivels up as it loses water. Red blood cells in a hypotonic solution will swell and burst or lyse.