Question

You put identical cells into three beakers X, Y, and Z. Beaker X contains distilled water, beaker Y contains a normal saline solution, and beaker Z contains saturated salt solution. All beakers contain the same amount of solution. Identify the correct observation from the following:

• A. Cells in beaker Z will be more swollen than those in X and Y.
• B. Cells in beaker X and Z are similar in shape and size.
• C. Cells in beaker X did not swell up at all.
• D. Cells in Y and Z are smaller in size than those in X.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Cells in Y and Z are smaller in size than those in X.

This happens because solutions in beaker Y and Z are hypertonic to the cells and therefore water from inside the cells moves outside. Therefore, cells placed in Y and Z shrink in size. Beaker X has distilled water that is hypotonic to the cells and therefore cells in beaker X swells due to the influx of water.