Complete the following statements by choosing the appropriate option for each blank:
When a cell is placed in a __________ solution it becomes plasmolysed.
Topic: Plasmolysis
Try it
Pick an option and check your answer. The full worked answer is below either way.
Answer
(b) Hypertonic.
PLASMOLYSIS is the shrinking of the protoplasm away from the cell wall, and it happens when the cell LOSES water. For water to leave, the surrounding solution must be MORE CONCENTRATED than the cell sap — that is, HYPERTONIC.
The three terms, which must be kept apart: HYPERTONIC — more concentrated outside; water LEAVES the cell (exosmosis); the cell becomes FLACCID and plasmolysed HYPOTONIC — more dilute outside; water ENTERS (endosmosis); the cell becomes TURGID ISOTONIC — equal concentrations; no NET movement; the cell stays unchanged
Options (a) and (d) are effectively the same thing — distilled water is hypotonic — and both would cause the opposite, deplasmolysis. When two options say the same thing, neither can be the answer.
The prefixes help: HYPER- means more, HYPO- means less, ISO- means equal.
Hypertonic.