Multiple Choice
Nutrients that are absorbed by the plant roots from the soil are transported throughout the plant by which system?
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6. The Membrane
Introduction to Membrane Transport
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Why are bacterial cells less likely than animal cells to burst in a hypotonic solution?
A
Bacterial cells have a rigid cell wall that prevents excessive water uptake.
B
Bacterial cells contain more solutes in their cytoplasm than animal cells.
C
Bacterial cells actively pump water out of the cell to prevent bursting.
D
Bacterial cells have a thicker plasma membrane than animal cells.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. In a hypotonic solution, the environment outside the cell has a lower solute concentration than the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell.
Recognize the structural difference between bacterial and animal cells: Bacterial cells have a rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan, while animal cells lack a cell wall and only have a flexible plasma membrane.
Analyze the role of the bacterial cell wall: The rigid cell wall in bacterial cells provides structural support and prevents the cell from expanding excessively when water enters. This structural feature protects bacterial cells from bursting in a hypotonic solution.
Compare with animal cells: Animal cells, lacking a cell wall, rely solely on their plasma membrane to regulate water movement. In a hypotonic solution, excessive water uptake can cause the plasma membrane to stretch and potentially lead to cell lysis (bursting).
Conclude why bacterial cells are less likely to burst: The presence of the rigid cell wall in bacterial cells is the key factor that prevents them from bursting in a hypotonic solution, making the correct answer: 'Bacterial cells have a rigid cell wall that prevents excessive water uptake.'
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