Question

If beetroot is kept in cold water, anthocyanin does not come out. This is because the cell membrane is ___________

• A. Differentially permeable
• B. Impermeable to anthocyanins
• C. Permeable to anthocyanins
• D. Dead

Answer 1

The correct option is B Impermeable to anthocyanins

Anthocyanin is the water soluble pigment present in vacuoles that may impart red, purple or blue colour. The plasma membrane is impermeable to anthocyanins as the membrane is made up of lipids and does not allow water soluble solutes to pass through directly except through specific proteins. If the membrane is ruptured, e.g., by boiling the pigment will come out of beetroot cells.

So, the correct answer is 'Impermeable to anthocyanins'