Questions: A cell is dropped into a saltwater solution and shrivels up. You infer that, compared to the cell, the type saltwater solution is (1 point) hypertonic. tonic. hypotonic. isotonic.

The answer is the first one (or A): hypertonic.

Explanation for each option:

• Hypertonic: This is the correct answer. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes (in this case, salt) compared to the inside of the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell to balance the solute concentration, causing the cell to shrivel.
• Tonic: This is incorrect. "Tonic" is not a term used to describe the relative concentration of solutions in this context.
• Hypotonic: This is incorrect. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. If a cell were placed in a hypotonic solution, water would move into the cell, causing it to swell, not shrivel.
• Isotonic: This is incorrect. An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the inside of the cell. In an isotonic solution, there would be no net movement of water, and the cell would neither swell nor shrivel.

Summary: The cell shrivels up because it is placed in a hypertonic solution, which causes water to move out of the cell. Therefore, the correct answer is hypertonic.