What type of solution has a higher concentration of solute than another solution, leading to cell shrinkage?

The concept of different solution types is essential to understanding how they interact with cells. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell to equalize the solute concentrations across the cell membrane. This outflow of water causes the cell to lose volume and ultimately shrink, a process known as crenation.

In contrast, a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute relative to the cell's interior, which causes water to flow into the cell, potentially leading to cell swelling or even bursting. An isotonic solution maintains equal solute concentrations inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water and maintaining cell shape. While the term "concentrated" could refer to any solution with a high concentration of solute, it does not specifically indicate how it relates to another solution's concentration, leaving it ambiguous in this context. Thus, hypertonic is the precise term that describes the scenario in which cells experience shrinkage due to solute concentration differences.