Question

The process by which raisins swell up when placed in a beaker of water.

Answer 1

Endosmosis:

• When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution the water molecules move inside the cell through a semi-permeable membrane, this process is called endosmosis.
• Hypotonic solutions can be defined as solutions that have low solute concentration.

The explanation for swelling up of raisins:

• When a flaccid raisin is placed in a hypotonic solution, water from the solution tends to move in the inward direction.
• This happens because the concentration of water is lower inside the raisin.
• To reach the point of equilibrium on either side of the membrane water moves inward until the latter is reached.

Final answer:

Hence, endosmosis is responsible for the selling up of raisins when placed in a beaker of water.