Which term describes the ability of a solution to affect the volume and pressure of a cell?

The term that describes the ability of a solution to affect the volume and pressure of a cell is tonicity. Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes dissolved in a solution that can affect cell volume due to osmosis. It is crucial because it determines whether water will move into or out of the cell, impacting the cell's shape and pressure.

When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink. Conversely, in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell, leading to swelling and potentially bursting of the cell. Isotonic solutions maintain equilibrium, ensuring no net movement of water and preserving normal cell volume and function.

Other terms, such as concentration and osmolarity, relate to solute amounts but do not specifically address the effects of these concentrations on cell volume and pressure. Fluidity, on the other hand, deals more with the state of the cellular membrane rather than the osmotic effects on the cell itself. Thus, tonicity is the most relevant term that describes how solutions can influence cell volume and pressure.