[Campbell Biology P.837] A plant cell is placed into a solution. If water moves out of the p... | Practice Question

A plant cell is placed into a solution. If water moves out of the plant cell and the cell undergoes plasmolysis, what can be inferred about the water potential of the external solution relative to the cell's cytoplasm?

  • A: The external solution has a higher water potential than the cell's cytoplasm.
  • B: The external solution has a lower water potential than the cell's cytoplasm.
  • C: The external solution has the same water potential as the cell's cytoplasm.
  • D: Water potential is irrelevant; only solute concentration matters for plasmolysis.

Explanation

The text states: 'Free water moves from regions of higher water potential to regions of lower water potential if there is no barrier to its flow.' If water moves out of the plant cell causing plasmolysis , it means the water potential inside the cell was higher than that of the external solution.