Which concept describes a solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to another solution?

The concept that describes a solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to another solution is referred to as hypotonic. In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside a cell is lower than inside the cell, which can lead to water moving into the cell through osmosis. This movement of water can cause the cell to swell and possibly burst if the difference in concentration is significant.

The term isotonic refers to solutions that have equal concentrations of solute, resulting in no net movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. Hypertonic, on the other hand, describes a solution with a higher concentration of solute relative to another solution, which would lead to water moving out of a cell, causing it to shrink. Isosmotic refers to solutions that have the same osmotic pressure but does not necessarily account for the specific solute concentrations involved.

Understanding these terms is crucial in the study of cellular behavior in different environments, particularly in physiology and biochemistry where the movement of water across membranes is fundamental to many biological processes.