Which term describes a solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution?

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A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution is referred to as hypotonic. In biological terms, when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell due to osmosis, as the concentration of solutes inside the cell is greater than that outside. This movement can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst if too much water enters.

Understanding this concept is crucial in various applications, especially in biology and medicine, where the movement of water across cell membranes can have significant effects on cell function and health. Solutions that are isotonic have equal solute concentrations, while hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of solutes. The term "concentrated" does not specifically refer to a relative comparison between two solutions, making it less suitable for this context.

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