Question

Value of osmotic potential (π) and pressure potential (p) of cells a, b, c, d are given:
\[\begin{array}{*{35}{l}}
   Cell~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ & ~\pi & p \\
   a & 1.0 & 0.5 \\
   b & 0.6 & 0.3 \\
   c & 1.2 & 0.6 \\
   d & 0.8 & 0.4 \\
\end{array}\]
 Identify the correct sequence for movement of water.
A) b→c→d→a
B) c→b→a →d
C) d→c→a→b
D) b→d →a→c

Answer 1

Hint: Difference in osmotic potential will cause water molecules to move from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution.

Complete answer:
The osmotic potential also called solute potential is the potential of water molecules to move from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution across a semipermeable membrane.
So the water will move from high concentration to low concentration.
The value of osmotic potential of a solution is always negative because the presence of solutes will always make a solution have less water.
When two solutions are isotonic the osmotic potentials will be equal. No movement of water will be there.
The solution which is hypotonic(diluted solution which has less solutes and more water) will have high osmotic potential.
The solution which is hypertonic(concentrated solution which has more solutes and less water) will have low osmotic potential.
The difference in osmotic potential will cause water molecules to move from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution.

Hence the correct answer is option (D)b→ d→ a→ c

Note:Pressure potential is the hydrostatic pressure exerted on water in a cell. Higher the pressure, greater is the potential energy in a system.