Question

When Pea seeds and Wheat seeds are put in water, which of the two will imbibe more water?
A. Wheat seeds
B. Pea seeds
C. Both will imbibe an equal amount of water
D. Pea seeds will imbibe water only at alkaline pH

Answer 1

Hint: Imbibition is the process by which the seeds absorb water and germinate. Pea seeds have a high quantity of proteins in it and wheat seeds have a high quantity of starch in them. Here, there are two terms imbibate and imbibant.

Complete step by step answer: The imbibition is the process of the adsorption and the absorption of the solvent molecules by the colloidal particles without forming any solution. Here the colloidal particles are known as the imbibate and the solvent or the water molecules are known as imbibant. Thus, imbibant are the water molecules adsorbed and absorbed. The role of imbibition is in the seed germination in plants.
The order of the imbibing colloidal particles is as follows-
Phycocolloids > Pectins > Proteins > Starch > Cellulose
Now, when pea seeds and wheat seeds are put in water then both of them will imbibe water. However, pea seeds have a high quantity of proteins in them whereas wheat seeds have high quantities of starch in them. Also, proteins imbibe more water as compared to the starch molecules. Thus, pea seeds will imbibe more water.
Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The effects of imbibition, as seen in plants are as follows –
a. Increase in the volume of the cell due to the absorption of the water.
b. Development of the pressure inside the cell due to excessive water.
c. Release of the heat which is known as the heat of hydration/ heat of wetting.