Isotonic Solution and Onion Peel: What Happens?

What would happen if an onion peel is kept in an isotonic solution?

A) The onion peel will shrink

B) The onion peel will swell

C) The onion peel will remain unchanged

D) The onion peel will disintegrate

Final answer: C) The onion peel will remain unchanged.

Answer:

In an isotonic solution, the onion peel will remain unchanged. This is because water moves into and out of the cells at the same rate, maintaining equilibrium.

If an onion peel is kept in an isotonic solution, it will not undergo any appreciable change in size or shape. This is due to the fact that in an isotonic solution, the concentration of solutes inside the onion cells and the surrounding solution is the same. As a result, water particles move into and out from the cells at the same rate, a process known as osmosis. Therefore, the onion peel will neither swell up due to water gain (as in a hypotonic solution), nor shrink due to water loss (as in a hypertonic solution). Instead, the onion cells will maintain their normal volume and shape, exhibiting a state of equilibrium.

Isotonic solutions are important in maintaining the proper balance of fluids in living organisms. They ensure that cells do not gain or lose too much water, helping to prevent damage or disruption to cellular functions. Understanding the behavior of cells in isotonic solutions is crucial in various fields such as biology, medicine, and biotechnology.

By studying the effects of different solutions on biological specimens like onion peels, scientists can gain insights into the principles of osmosis and cellular transport. This knowledge can be applied to research related to drug delivery, tissue engineering, and agriculture.