Multiple Choice
What would enhance water uptake by a plant cell?
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6. The Membrane
Osmosis
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How do contractile vacuoles help maintain water balance in certain organisms?
A
By converting water into nutrients
B
By storing water for future use
C
By actively expelling excess water from the cell
D
By absorbing water from the environment
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of contractile vacuoles: Contractile vacuoles are specialized cellular structures found in certain single-celled organisms, such as protozoa and some algae, that help maintain osmotic balance by regulating the water content within the cell.
Recognize the environment: These organisms often live in hypotonic environments, where the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside, causing water to flow into the cell by osmosis.
Identify the problem: The continuous influx of water can lead to excessive internal pressure, potentially causing the cell to swell and burst if not regulated.
Explain the mechanism: Contractile vacuoles collect excess water from the cytoplasm and periodically expel it out of the cell through a process called exocytosis, thus preventing the cell from taking in too much water.
Conclude the function: By actively expelling excess water, contractile vacuoles help maintain the cell's osmotic balance and prevent damage from osmotic pressure, ensuring the organism's survival in its environment.
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