What type of solution has a greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution with which it is compared?

A hypertonic solution is characterized by having a greater concentration of dissolved solute compared to another solution it is being compared to. This concept is crucial in understanding osmotic pressure and the movement of water across semi-permeable membranes.

When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solute outside the cell is higher than that inside the cell. As a result, water will move out of the cell in an attempt to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. This can cause the cell to shrink or undergo crenation due to the loss of water.

In contrast, a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute than the cell's interior, leading to water moving into the cell, which can potentially cause it to swell or burst. An isotonic solution has equal concentrations of solute on both sides, leading to no net movement of water, maintaining cell size. Iso-osmotic solutions are similar in that they have the same osmotic pressure but are not necessarily the same in terms of solute types or concentrations.

Understanding these terms is vital in various applications, including medical treatments, where the balance of fluids and solutes is crucial for cell health and function.