Celery stalks that are immersed in fresh water for several hours become stiff. Similar stalks left in a 0.15 M salt solution become limp. From this we can deduce that the fresh water ________.
A) and the salt solution are both hypertonic to the cells of the celery stalks
B) is hypotonic and the salt solution is hypertonic to the cells of the celery stalks
C) is hypertonic and the salt solution is hypotonic to the cells of the celery stalks
D) is isotonic and the salt solution is hypertonic to the cells of the celery stalks

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When celery stalks are immersed in fresh water, water enters the cells through osmosis, causing the cells to expand and become stiff. This happens because the water in the surrounding solution (fresh water) is hypotonic compared to the cells of the celery stalks. On the other hand, when celery stalks are immersed in a 0.15 M salt solution, water moves out of the cells through osmosis, causing the cells to shrink and become limp. This happens because the salt solution is hypertonic compared to the cells of the celery stalks. Therefore, we can deduce that the fresh water is hypotonic, while the salt solution is hypertonic to the cells of the celery stalks.

Celery Stalks That Are Immersed in Fresh Water for Several