Question

RBC and a plant cell (with thick cell wall) are placed in distilled water. The concentration of the solute is the same in both the cells.

What changes would be observed in them?

• A. Both the plant cell and RBC would not undergo any change
• B. RBC would increase in size and burst, while the plant cell would remain about the same size
• C. The plant cell would increase in size and burst, while RBC would remain about the same size
• D. Both the plant cell and RBC would decrease in size and collapse

Answer 1

The correct option is B RBC would increase in size and burst, while the plant cell would remain about the same size

When RBC and a plant cell are placed in distilled water, endosmosis, i.e. movement of water molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration (inside the cell) will take place. As a result, RBC which do not have a cell wall would increase in size and burst, while the plant cell would remain about the same size because of the presence of a rigid cell wall.