When the solute concentration of solution A is lower than that of solution B, solution A is considered?

When the solute concentration of solution A is lower than that of solution B, solution A is considered hypotonic. This term describes a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, leading to a higher concentration of water relative to the solutes.

In biological contexts, this is crucial because when two solutions of different tonicities are separated by a semipermeable membrane, water will move from the hypotonic solution (A) to the hypertonic solution (B) in an effort to equalize the concentrations on both sides. This movement of water can result in changes in the volume of cells if one of the solutions is intracellular, potentially causing cells to swell and even burst if the difference is significant.

Understanding the concept of hypotonic solutions is vital for comprehending how cells interact with their environments, especially in terms of osmotic pressure and the regulation of water movement in and out of cells.