Cheek cells will shrink when placed in salt water. This occurs due to a process called osmosis.
Osmosis and Cheek Cells
When cheek cells are exposed to a salt water solution, the water inside the cells moves out into the salt water in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes (salt) on both sides of the cell membrane. This water movement causes the cells to lose water, which results in them shrinking.
How Osmosis Works
- Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration (low solute concentration) to an area of low water concentration (high solute concentration).
- In the case of cheek cells in salt water:
- The inside of the cell has a lower concentration of salt (higher concentration of water).
- The salt water has a higher concentration of salt (lower concentration of water).
- Water moves out of the cell to try to balance the salt concentration.
Why Shrinking Occurs
The reference states: "The cells will shrink if placed in a solution of sugar or salt in water due to osmosis." This confirms that the observed shrinking is a direct result of the osmotic pressure created by the salt solution. This process is similar to what happens to other types of cells, including plant cells, in solutions with high solute concentration.
Practical Implications
- This effect is not unique to cheek cells; it is a common cellular response to a hypertonic environment (an environment with higher solute concentration).
- Understanding osmosis is crucial in various fields like biology, medicine, and even cooking.
Table summarizing cheek cell behavior in salt water
| Environment | Water Movement | Cell Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Water | Out of the cell | Shrinks |
In conclusion, when cheek cells are placed in salt water, they lose water through osmosis and consequently shrink.
