Question

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

• A. Diffusion of NaCl into the cell.
• B. Exit of water from the cell.
• C. Entry of water into the cell.
• D. The cells bursting out.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Exit of water from the cell.

When a leaf peeling of Tradescantia is kept in a medium having 10% NaCl, it is seen that water comes out of the cell as a result of exosmosis. This happens because 10% NaCl acts as hypertonic solution with less water and more solute than the leaf inside. Thus water moves from its higher concentration which is inside the cell to outside the leaf cell where water concentration is less.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.