Question

If cells of onion peel and RBC are separately kept in hypotonic solution, what among the following will take place?

• A. Both the cells will swell
• B. RBC will burst easily while cells of onion peel will resist the bursting to some extent
• C. A and B both are correct
• D. RBC and onion peel cells will behave similarly

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

A and B both are correct

Hypotonic solution is a solution which contains lesser solute concentration. If RBC is kept in hypotonic solution then the water molecules will move from hypotonic solution to RBC. This process is called as osmosis in which the water molecules move from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration through cell membrane RBC. Due to this, the cell membrane of RBC will not be able to tolerate the pressure and it will burst eventually.
If onion peel is kept in hypotonic solution then the water molecules will move from hypotonic solution to onion cells. This process is called as osmosis in which the water molecules move from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration through the cell wall of onion. As onion cell possess cell wall along with the cell membrane the onion cell will take a longer time to burst than RBC but it will burst eventually.
So, the correct answer is option B.