Question 4
Cell and Its EnvironmentA pupil accidentally "watered" a potted plant with concentrated salt solution. After sometime the plant began to wilt.
The wilting of the plant is due to the fact that
- A.the root hairs die off and can no longer absorb water
- B.the salt solution causes faster rate of transpiration leading to the death of the plant cells
- C.the salt solution has caused water to be lost from the plant cells leading to loss of turgor
- D.the plant tissue has been poisoned by the salt which is absorbed by the plant.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C (the salt solution has caused water to be lost from the plant cells leading to loss of turgor)
Explanation
The salt solution is more concentrated than the cell sap, so water leaves the root cells by osmosis and the cells lose turgor.