Plasmolysis Due to Water Loss

Steps:

• Examine the diagram: plasma membrane and cytoplasm have shrunk away from the cell wall.
• Recognize this as plasmolysis, caused by osmosis in a hypertonic solution.
• Water exits the cell, collapsing the vacuole and eliminating turgor pressure.
• Match to option describing water loss and loss of turgidity.

Why D is correct:

• Plasmolysis defines water loss in hypertonic conditions, shrinking the protoplast and rendering the cell flaccid (no longer turgid) as turgor pressure requires a swollen vacuole.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Water gain in hypotonic solution increases turgor, causing wall pressure, not shrinkage.
• B: Water loss cannot maintain turgidity, which depends on internal pressure from water influx.
• C: Water gain always promotes turgidity in plant cells with rigid walls.

Final answer: D