Submerging a plant cell in distilled water will result in
1 lysis of the cell membrane
2 bursting of the cell membrane
3 plasmolysis of the cell
4 the cell becoming turgid
5 the cell becoming flaccid
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: 4. the cell becoming turgid.
Explanation:
When a plant cell is submerged in distilled water, a process called osmosis occurs. Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane (like the cell membrane) from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. In this case, distilled water has a very low concentration of solutes (essentially zero), and the inside of the plant cell has a higher solute concentration.
Because of osmosis, water will move into the plant cell. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that prevents them from bursting under excessive water intake, unlike animal cells that lack a cell wall. As water enters the cell, the vacuole (which stores water) increases in size, exerting pressure on the cell wall. This pressure is called turgor pressure, and it causes the cell to become turgid, or swollen and firm.
Being turgid is important for plant cells because it helps them maintain their shape and structural integrity. It also plays a role in keeping the plant upright and ensuring that essential processes like nutrient transport occur efficiently. Turgidity is a common and desirable state for plant cells.
Let’s look at the other options to clarify why they are incorrect:
- 1. Lysis of the cell membrane: Lysis refers to the rupture of the cell membrane due to excessive pressure, but this does not occur in plant cells because of the protection provided by the cell wall.
- 2. Bursting of the cell membrane: Similarly, plant cells do not burst like animal cells because of the rigidity of the cell wall.
- 3. Plasmolysis of the cell: Plasmolysis happens when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (e.g., saltwater), causing the cell to lose water and shrink, pulling away from the cell wall.
- 5. The cell becoming flaccid: Flaccidity occurs when a plant cell loses water and turgor pressure, often in a hypertonic solution. This is the opposite of what happens in distilled water.
Thus, the correct outcome when a plant cell is submerged in distilled water is for the cell to become turgid due to water intake and the resulting turgor pressure.