Video narration
Why does one red blood cell shrink in salty water, while another swells in dilute water, when both are surrounded by water? Like a raisin, water crosses a boundary. Osmosis is water moving through a semipermeable membrane from higher solvent concentration to lower. Compare solute concentration inside and outside. If it is higher outside, the solution is hypertonic: water moves out overall, so the cell loses water and shrinks, or becomes crenated. With approximately equal effective solute concentration on both sides, the solution is isotonic. Water moves in both directions, equally overall: no net movement, and the cell stays normal. If solute concentration is lower outside, the solution is hypotonic. Water moves in overall; the cell gains water, swells, and excessive entry can cause haemolysis. All three involve movement both ways; the stated direction is net movement. So: hypertonic, out and shrink; isotonic, balance; hypotonic, in and swell.