AP Biologymediummcq1 pt

A healthy plant cell is moved from pure water into a solution with a much higher concentration of nonpenetrating solute than the cell interior. Which outcome follows?

A.Water continues entering the cell, raising turgor pressure until the wall ruptures.
B.Water leaves by osmosis until the central vacuole shrinks and the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall.
C.The wall blocks water entirely, so cell volume stays constant regardless of the solution.
D.The cell lyses immediately because plant cells respond to hypertonic media exactly as animal cells do.

Explanation

Core Concept

The external solution is hypertonic because its effective concentration of nonpenetrating solute is higher. Water therefore leaves the plant cell by osmosis, the central vacuole shrinks, and the plasma membrane can pull away from the cell wall during plasmolysis.

Correct Answer

BWater leaves by osmosis until the central vacuole shrinks and the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall.

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