Water enters the roots of plants by osmosis, which is a special case of diffusion - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 24 - 2022
Question 24
Water enters the roots of plants by osmosis, which is a special case of diffusion.
(i) Explain the term osmosis.
(ii) Explain the term turgor.
(iii) Which cell, A... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Water enters the roots of plants by osmosis, which is a special case of diffusion - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 24 - 2022
Step 1
Explain the term osmosis.
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Answer
Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. This process helps maintain the balance of fluids in cells.
Step 2
Explain the term turgor.
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Answer
Turgor refers to the pressure exerted by the fluid within the cell's vacuole against the cell wall. This pressure keeps plant cells firm and provides structural support, mainly when there is water in the cytoplasm.
Step 3
Which cell, A or B, is turgid?
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Answer
Cell B is turgid.
Step 4
Name the cell part that prevents a plant cell from bursting.
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Answer
The cell wall prevents the plant cell from bursting.
Step 5
Name organelle X, an important storage organelle in plant cells.
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Answer
Organelle X is the vacuole.
Step 6
Explain in detail what has happened to cell B.
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Answer
Cell B has undergone a process where the cell membrane has pulled away from the cell wall due to a loss of water, a condition known as plasmolysis. This occurs when the plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, causing water to exit the cell.
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