When a living cell is place in a concentrated solution i.e. in a hypertonic solution, the cells shrinks. This is due to the process of exosmosis, diffusion of water outwards the cell takes place because of its lesser osmotic pressure. Thus exosmosis results in the withdrawal of the cytoplasm from the cell wall, known as plasmolysis. Plasmolysis makes the cell flaccid, which ultimately results in the death of the cell.
