Question

pH of vacuolar cell sap is
A. Neutral and isotonic
B. Alkaline and hypotonic
C. Acidic and hypertonic
D. Equal to cytoplasm and isotonic

Answer 1

Hint:In Chemistry, pH (Potential or Power of Hydrogen) is a scale that is used to identify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. In vacuoles, we can see the spaces as bounded by fluid-filled or solid-filled membrane-wrapped storage sacs. They are filled with cell sap, which is a watery solution as being rich in sugars, amino acids, proteins, minerals and metabolic wastes, such as anthocyanins and alkaloids.

Complete answer:
If the pH value of a certain solution is less than 7 then it is acidic in nature. Whereas, solutions having pH values greater than 7 are termed as basic(alkaline).
The pH of vacuoles is almost equal to that of the cell sap.
As vacuoles perform important cellular functions, it is essential to have a suitable pH that would allow the vacuoles to successfully perform all its functions.
The vacuolar cell saps have a pH value of around 5.5 (which is less than 7) and that's why these are acidic in nature.
And the osmotic pressure of these saps is greater than the surrounding cytoplasm which means these sacks are generally hypertonic.
Hence, we can say that the pH value of vacuolar cell sap is acidic and hypertonic in nature.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note:The pH value of a solution can be measured using electrochemical measuring systems, litmus paper, indicators and colorimeters. Litmus papers and colorimeters are the most preferred methods of measuring pH values. In amperometry, another pH value measurement possibility can be seen.