Question

Arrange the following in the increasing power of imbibition

Agar agar, cellulose, pectin, starch

• A. Agar agar > cellulose > pectin > starch
• B. Cellulose > starch > agar agar > pectin
• C. Agar agar > pectin > starch > cellulose
• D. Cellulose > agar agar > starch > pectin

Answer 1

The correct option is C Agar agar > pectin > starch > cellulose

Adsorption of water by hydrophillic colloids is known as imbibition solution. The cell wall is made of by colloidal substance as cellulose, pectin, hemicelluloses, etc. They are colloidal and hydrophobic in nature. Therefore they imbibe water. It is a physical process. Also, imbibition is special type of diffusion where net movement of water is along a diffusion gradient. It involves participation of an adsorbent called imbibant. Among plant imbibants phycocolloids e.g., Agar-agar are the best imbibants followed by pectin, starch and cellulose.

So, the correct answer is ''Agar agar > pectin > starch > cellulose''.