Question

What would happen if we kept a fresh grape in concentrated salt water solution?

• A. Grape bursts open
• B. No change observed
• C. Grape shrinks
• D. Shrinks and then bursts open

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Grape shrinks

If a fresh grape is kept inside concentrated salt water or a hypertonic solution, water would move across its concentration gradient. In this case, since the salt water is highly concentrated, it is obvious that water concentration is higher in the grape than the surrounding salt solution. Hence, to bring about a balance, water moves from the region of its higher concentration (inside of the grape) to that of its low concentration (the surrounding solution). This would result in shrinkage of the grape.