Question

Bacteria can not survive in a highly salted pickle, because

• A. Salt inhibits reproduction of bacteria.
• B. Enough light is unavailable for photosynthesis.
• C. They become plasmolysed and death occurs.
• D. Nutrients in the pickle medium can not support life.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

They become plasmolysed and death occurs.

Water molecules move from a region of their high concentration (less concentrated solution) to a region of their low concentration (highly concentrated solution). Thus, solutions having high salt or sugar concentration absorb water from less concentrated solutions. If bacteria are exposed to very high salt or sugar concentration, they will lose water and their cell contents will become plasmolyzed, resulting in their death.