Question

Solute potential of a solution is always?
A. =0
B. <0
C. >0
D. Between 0.1 to 1.0

Answer 1

Hint: Solute potential is also known as osmotic potential. It lowers the water potential of the solution, as it has a negative value. It happens because the addition of more solute reduces the water potential of the solution.

Complete answer:
In order to solve this question we need to know about what is solute and solute potential.

Solute: Solute is basically a tiny substance which we can dissolve in any liquid which eventually makes a solution. For example, when we add salt in water it dissolves completely, here salt acts as a solute.

Solvent: It is basically a dissolving medium (which is mostly in liquid state of matter).

Solute potential: It is a type of pressure applied in solution which prevents the inward movement of water across any semi permeable membrane.
- Solute potential is also known as osmotic potential.
- Water potential is a potential energy of water per unit volume.
- Solute potential decreases with increase in solute concentration.
- Decrease in solute potential causes overall decrease in water potential.
- Solute potential is always negative because, increase in solute concentration lowers the solute potential which further decreases the overall water potential of the solution.
- Distilled water or pure water’s solute potential is always zero because they don’t contain any free solute in their solution.
As, solute potential is always negative which means it is always less than zero.

So, the correct option is option b. <0

Note: Transpiration: It is evaporation of water by the leaves of the plant.
In leaves, the main structure responsible for evaporation is stomata
Usually stomata remain close in night time and open during the day time.
The phenomenon behind sudden opening and closing of stomata is guard cell turgidity.
Transpiration causes ascent of sap which is due to some important properties of water like:
1. Cohesion
2. Adhesion
3. Surface tension.