Multiple Choice
Which of the following processes enables cells to take in water from their surroundings?
19
views
6. The Membrane
Osmosis
Struggling with General Biology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
What will happen to a celery stick that is placed in a glass of pure water?
A
It will wilt as water leaves its cells by osmosis.
B
It will dissolve completely in the water.
C
It will become crisp as water moves into its cells by osmosis.
D
It will remain unchanged because osmosis does not occur in plant cells.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
Recognize the environment: Pure water is a hypotonic solution compared to the inside of the celery cells, meaning the water has a lower solute concentration than the cytoplasm of the celery cells.
Predict the direction of water movement: Water will move into the celery cells by osmosis because the water concentration is higher outside the cells than inside.
Explain the effect on the celery cells: As water enters the cells, the vacuoles will fill with water, increasing turgor pressure (the pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall). This turgor pressure makes the celery cells firm and crisp.
Conclude the outcome: The celery stick will become crisp as water moves into its cells by osmosis, demonstrating the importance of osmosis in maintaining plant cell structure and function.
Related Videos
Related Practice
