What term describes a hypertonic solution?

• A. Concentrated solution
• B. Isotonic solution
• C. Hypotonic solution
• D. Hypertonic solution

Answer: (A)

In osmosis and solution science, a hypertonic environment is one with a higher solute concentration than the reference solution (typically inside a cell). Because water moves toward higher solute concentration, a hypertonic solution pulls water out of the cell, causing the cell to shrink. The best way to describe this state in plain terms is to call the solution “concentrated,” since it has a higher amount of solutes relative to the reference. That is why this option is the most fitting description: it conveys the increased solute content that defines hypertonicity.

Isotonic describes equal solute concentration, so it doesn’t describe a higher concentration. Hypotonic describes a lower solute concentration, which would push water into the cell. The term hypertonic itself is the precise label for the condition, but in terms of a descriptive descriptor among the options given, “concentrated solution” aligns with the idea of elevated solute content that drives hypertonic behavior.