A balloon permeable to water but not to glucose contains a 10% glucose solution.A beaker contains a 5% glucose solution.Which of the following is TRUE?
A)The solution in the beaker is hypertonic relative to the solution in the balloon.
B)The solution in the balloon is isotonic; the solution in the beaker is hypertonic.
C)The solution in the balloon is hypotonic relative to the solution in the beaker.
D)The solution in the balloon is hypertonic relative to the solution in the beaker.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because the balloon is permeable to water but not glucose, the glucose solution inside the balloon will diffuse out into the surrounding beaker solution, while water molecules will diffuse from the beaker into the balloon until equilibrium is reached. Since the solution in the beaker has a lower concentration of solutes (5% glucose) compared to the solution inside the balloon (10% glucose), the water will tend to move more into the balloon than out of it. This means that the solution in the balloon is hypertonic (having a higher concentration of solutes) relative to the solution in the beaker, making choice D the correct answer.

A Balloon Permeable to Water but Not to Glucose Contains