Question

Consider the following statements and select the correct one:
Statement (A): Pure water has maximum water potential.
Statement (B): The osmotic potential is zero in pure water

• A. Both statements are correct and (B) is not the reason for (A)
• B. Both statements are wrong
• C. Both statements are correct and (B) is the reason for (A)
• D. Both statements are correct

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both statements are correct and (B) is the reason for (A)

• Water potential is the potential energy of water per unit volume with respect to pure water on the addition of solute the water potential decreases.
• As pure water has negligible solutes so it has maximum water potential.
• Osmotic potential is the ability of the water to move from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution across a semi-permeable membrane.
• So, pure water has zero osmotic potential as when there is lesser solute the water is less likely to move by osmosis.

So, the correct answer is option C.