Question

What happens if dry apricots are left for some time in the pure water and later transferred to sugar solution?

• A. First it swells due to endosmosis and then exosmosis occurs and it shrinks.
• B. First it shrinks due to endosmosis and then exosmosis occurs and it swells.
• C. No change.
• D. Apricot will be burst out.

Answer 1

The correct option is A First it swells due to endosmosis and then exosmosis occurs and it shrinks.

Dry apricots have more solutes than pure water. Hence, endosmosis, i.e., water molecules will move from outside to inside of the apricot through wall of apricot takes place. Due to this, apricots will swell eventually.
When such apricots are then transferred to sugar solution, then the solution will be hypertonic bearing high amount of solute. Hence, exosmosis, i.e., water will move from inside to outside of apricot through apricot wall. Due to this, apricot will shrink.