If a cell is reduced in size (shrinks) when placing in a solution of sugar, the solution is :

Options

A. Hypertonic
B. Hypotonic
C. Isotonic
D. None of the above

Answer

To determine the type of solution in which a cell shrinks when placed in a sugar solution, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Cell Behavior in Solutions**:
- Cells can behave differently when placed in various types of solutions: hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic.

2. **Define Hypertonic Solution**:
- A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute (in this case, sugar) compared to the inside of the cell. This means there is less water outside the cell.

3. **Water Movement**:
- Water moves from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration. Therefore, in a hypertonic solution, water will move out of the cell to balance the solute concentrations.

4. **Effect on the Cell**:
- As water leaves the cell, the cell loses volume and shrinks. This is why when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, it shrinks.

5. **Consider Other Solutions**:
- In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solute outside the cell is lower than inside, causing water to move into the cell, leading to swelling.
- In an isotonic solution, the concentration of solute is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water, and the cell maintains its size.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Since the cell shrinks when placed in a sugar solution, the solution must be hypertonic.

### Final Answer:
The solution is **hypertonic**.

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