Which condition results from too much water moving out of a cell, causing it to shrink?

The correct answer pertains to a hypertonic condition, which occurs when the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than the concentration inside the cell. In a hypertonic environment, water molecules move out of the cell in an attempt to equilibrate solute concentrations across the semi-permeable cell membrane. This loss of water leads to the shrinking or crenation of the cell.

This phenomenon contrasts with isotonic conditions, where solute concentrations are equal inside and outside the cell, maintaining cell size and shape. A hypotonic environment results in lower solute concentration outside the cell, causing water to move inward, leading to cell swelling or bursting. Osmotic conditions refer to the overall movement of water due to concentration gradients but do not specifically describe the situation where a cell shrinks due to water loss. Hence, the answer identifies the specific surrounding condition that leads to the cell's response of shrinking.