there are three different ways a solution can be described in relation to a cell placed in the solution: isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic. compared to a cell, an isotonic solution exerts the same osmotic pressure as the cellular fluids. in other words, it behaves as if it had the same solute concentration as the cell. a hypertonic solution behaves as if it had a higher solute concentration than the cell. a hypotonic solution behaves as if it had a lower solute concentration than the cell. if a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, nothing happens to the cell because water moves into the cell at the same rate that it moves out of the cell. if a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water will flow into the cell, causing it to swell (and possibly burst). if a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water will flow out of the cell, causing it to shrink. part a - determining water movement in osmosis a semipermeable membrane is placed between the following solutions. which solution will decrease in volume?