Osmosis

Question

Osmosis

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential across a selectively permeable membrane. This process does not require ATP and typically occurs until the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane reach equilibrium. When plant cells are placed in pure water (hypotonic solution), water moves into the cell through osmosis, causing the cell to become turgid and potentially bursting. However, in a normal plant cell, the rigid cell wall prevents this from happening. The movement of water through osmosis can cause differences in pressure potential (generated by the cell wall) and water potential (pressure potential + solute potential), but ultimately, osmosis will continue until the pressures are balanced. Therefore, the best choice is C, which correctly describes the potential effect of osmosis on plant cells.