Question

A leaf peeling of Tradescantia is kept in a medium having 10% NaCl. After a few minutes, if we observe the leaf peel under the microscope, we are likely to see

• A. entry of water into the cell
• B. the cells bursting out
• C. diffusion of NaCl into the cell
• D. exit of water from the cell

Answer 1

The correct option is D exit of water from the cell

When a leaf peeling of Tradescantia is kept in medium having 10% NaCl solution which is hypertonic, the cells shrink in size, this is followed by separation of protoplast from cell wall due to exosmosis (exit of water from the cell). This phenomenon is called plasmolysis.