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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is most likely to cause wilting in plants?
A
Increased chlorophyll production
B
Enhanced photosynthetic activity
C
Excessive nutrient uptake
D
Loss of turgor pressure due to water deficiency
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of turgor pressure: Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by water inside the plant cell against the cell wall. It is essential for maintaining the rigidity and structure of plant cells, which helps the plant stay upright.
Recognize the role of water in maintaining turgor pressure: Water enters plant cells through osmosis, filling the central vacuole and creating pressure against the cell wall. A deficiency in water disrupts this process, leading to a loss of turgor pressure.
Connect water deficiency to wilting: When plants lose water due to drought, excessive transpiration, or insufficient water uptake, the cells lose turgor pressure, causing the plant to wilt as the cells can no longer maintain their rigid structure.
Eliminate the incorrect options: Increased chlorophyll production and enhanced photosynthetic activity are beneficial processes for plants and do not directly cause wilting. Excessive nutrient uptake may lead to other issues but is not directly linked to wilting.
Conclude that the correct answer is loss of turgor pressure due to water deficiency, as this is the primary cause of wilting in plants.