Question

Strasburger rejected the vital force theory on the ground that

• A. Living cells are incapable of translocation.
• B. Water rises in dead cells.
• C. Respiration occurs in living cells.
• D. Living cells are capable of growth.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Water rises in dead cells.

Strasburger and Overton used poisons (like picric acid) and excessive heat to kill the living cells of the plant. When such twigs were dipped in water, ascent of sap (or the upward rising of the water in the cells ) could still occur uninterrupted. This proved that no vital force is involved in ascent of sap.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).