In a hypertonic solution, what is the net movement of water?

In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is greater than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. This difference creates an osmotic gradient where water moves toward the area of higher solute concentration. Consequently, water molecules move out of the cell to balance the concentration of solutes, leading to a net movement of water out of the cell.

As water exits the cell, it can result in cell shrinkage or crenation, especially in animal cells. This principle is critical in understanding processes such as osmosis and the behavior of cells in different solutions.