A plant cell with water potential -350 kPa is placed in a solution of water potential -500 kPa. What happens?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Water leaves the cell by osmosis
- Step 1: Water moves from a higher (less negative) water potential to a lower one. Step 2. -350 is higher than -500, so water leaves the cell. Answer: Water leaves the cell by osmosis. Why not the others: water would enter if the solution were less negative than the cell; solutes are not the concern here; potentials differ, so there is net movement.
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