When a cell is placed in a solution with higher osmotic pressure, what is a potential outcome?

When a cell is placed in a solution with higher osmotic pressure, it typically experiences a movement of water that can lead to a variety of outcomes based on the types of solutes in the solution.

In a solution with higher osmotic pressure than the inside of the cell, water will tend to move out of the cell and into the external solution. This process occurs because of osmotic gradients: water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the cell) to an area of higher solute concentration (outside the cell) in an attempt to equalize solute concentrations. As water leaves the cell, it may lead to cell shrinkage, a process known as crenation.

However, the actual outcome for the cell can depend significantly on whether the solutes in the external solution are penetrating or non-penetrating. Penetrating solutes can move across the cell membrane and alter the osmotic balance both inside and outside of the cell. Non-penetrating solutes, on the other hand, cannot cross the membrane and will maintain osmotic pressure differences more strictly.

Therefore, the presence of different types of solutes, and their concentrations, in the externally applied solution will determine the net effect on the cell's volume. In summary