Question

A plant cell that contains 80% water in the cytoplasm has been flooded with 40% saltwater. What process will occur that will impact the size/weight of the cell?

Select one:

a. Diffusion of salt in the cell

b. Osmosis

c. Diffusion of salt out of the cell

d. Dynamic equilibrium

e. none are correct

Answer 1

Answer-

According to the given question-

• Here we have a condition where a plant cell which  contains 80% water inside its cytoplasm was placed in a solution of 40% saltwater.
• We know that the cell membrane is semi permeable and allow movement of selective molecules, ions etc.
• movement of water across the cell membrane is called Osmosis .
• when the cell placed in salt solution which is hypertonic to the cell i.e. concentration of solute is higher than the inside of the cell, then Salt triggers the process of osmosis and pull the water towards it across the cell membrane.
• We know that water move from high concentration to low concentration,  because the concentration of water is less in 40 % salt solution than inside the cell,  then water will move from cell to the salt solution till the equilibrium is reached. and this leads to plant cells to shrink , decrease their weight and sometimes can kill plant cell.
• Dynamic equilibrium is a condition when rate of  forward as well as backward reaction rates are same.

So the correct answer is (B) Osmosis.