In a hypertonic solution, water flows through aquaporins embedded in the plasma membrane of the cell. This type of transport is best known as which of the following?
A. Osmosis
B. Diffusion
C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Active transport
One of the ways that cells regulate their water balance is by adjusting to different solute concentrations in their environment. When a cell is placed in a solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than the cell itself, the solution is called hypertonic. In this case, water will tend to move out of the cell through special channels called aquaporins, which are embedded in the plasma membrane. This movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane is a type of passive transport called osmosis. Osmosis does not require any energy input from the cell, unlike other forms of transport such as diffusion, facilitated diffusion, or active transport.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.
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