[Campbell Biology P.623] Why is salt effectively used to preserve foods, preventing spoilage... | Practice Question

Why is salt effectively used to preserve foods, preventing spoilage by prokaryotes?

  • A: Salt directly poisons prokaryotic cells, leading to their death.
  • B: Salt creates a hypertonic environment, causing prokaryotic cells to lose water and shrink, inhibiting their reproduction.
  • C: Salt creates a hypotonic environment, causing prokaryotic cells to burst.
  • D: Salt provides essential nutrients that support the growth of beneficial microorganisms, outcompeting spoilage prokaryotes.

Explanation

The text states: 'In a hypertonic environment, most prokaryotes lose water and shrink away from their wall. Such water losses can inhibit cell reproduction. Thus, salt can be used to preserve foods because it causes food-spoiling prokaryotes to lose water, preventing them from reproducing rapidly.' This directly supports option B.