Chapter 17, Problem 3DQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The observation needs to be explained when plant cells of fresh water plants placed in the salt water and that of salt water is placed in fresh water.

Concept introduction:

When water molecules move from a zone that has higher concentration of solution to that of lower concentration of solution through selective permeable membrane, it is termed as osmosis. If the cell is placed in hypotonic (lower concentration) solution, the water moves from outside the cell across the membrane to inside of the cell till both the sides become isotonic. Similarly, in hypertonic solution, the water from inside the cell moves towards the outside to make it isotonic.