Question

Anaya took a few stalks of celery and immersed them in solution X. After 10 minutes the stalks became swollen. Similarly she immersed some celery stalks in solution Y, which after 10 minutes became shrunken. What can you deduce from this observation?

• A. Solution X is hypotonic, while solution Y is hypertonic for celery stalks.
• B. Solution X is hypertonic, while solution Y is hypotonic for celery stalks
• C. Solution X is isotonic, while'solution Y is hypertonic for celery stalks.
• D. Solution X is hypotonic, while solution Y is isotonic for celery stalks.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Solution X is hypotonic, while solution Y is hypertonic for celery stalks.

X is a hypotonic solution i.e., it contains less solute (more water) compared to the cytoplasm of the cells. When stalks of celery are placed into a hypotonic solution, an endosmosis or net inflow of water in the cells takes place, resulting in the swelling of stalks. Y is a hypertonic solution i.e., it contains more solute (less water) compared to the cytoplasm of the cells. When stalks of celery are placed into a hypertonic solution, an exosmosis or net outflow of water from the cells takes place, resulting in shrinking of stalks.

Solution X is hypotonic, while solution Y is hypertonic for celery stalks.