When cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, which statement is true?

When cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is greater than that inside the cell. This difference in concentration causes water to move out of the cell through the process of osmosis, in an attempt to equalize solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane. As water leaves the cell, the cell loses volume and shrinks, which is known as plasmolysis in plant cells. This response is a fundamental principle of cell biology, as cells must maintain homeostasis by balancing the concentrations of solutes and solvents in their environment. Therefore, the correct statement is that cells lose water and shrink when placed in a hypertonic solution.