Osmotic shock

Alternatively, under hypotonic conditions - when concentrations of solutes are low - water enters the cell in large amounts, causing it to swell and either burst or undergo apoptosis.

[4] Although single-celled organisms are more vulnerable to osmotic shock, since they are directly exposed to their environment, cells in large animals such as mammals still suffer these stresses under some conditions.

[5] Current research also suggests that osmotic stress in cells and tissues may significantly contribute to many human diseases.

Calcium plays a large role in the recovery and tolerance for both hyper and hypo-osmotic stress situations.

More specifically, it works by sending signals to the nucleus that activate genes responsible for glycerol production and uptake.

Tonicity concept related to the transport of water towards the more concentrated aqueous solution ( osmotic transport ): In isotonic solutions, water flows equally into and out of the cell ( equilibrium ). In hypertonic solutions water flows out of the cell and the cell shrinks ( plasmolysis ). In hypotonic solutions, water flows into the cell and the cell swells ( turgescence ).