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Animal cells

Red blood cells placed in a solution with the same water concentration as their cytoplasm (0.85 per cent salt solution) will not experience an overall change in volume. No osmosis occurs.

Red blood cells placed in a solution with a higher water concentration compared to their contents (eg pure water) will gain water by osmosis, swell up and burst.

Water will diffuse from a higher water concentration outside the cell to a lower water concentration inside the cell.

Red blood cells placed in a solution with a lower water concentration compared to their contents (eg 1.7 per cent salt solution) will lose water by osmosis and shrink.

Water will diffuse from a higher water concentration inside the cell to a lower water concentration outside the cell.