Cell Wall Prevents Bursting in Hypotonic Solutions

Steps:

• Distilled water is hypotonic, causing water to enter cells via osmosis.
• Water influx increases internal pressure, called turgor pressure.
• Animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, so their membrane bursts under pressure.
• Plant cells' cell wall provides structural support, preventing rupture.

Why D is correct:

• Turgor pressure is the outward force from osmotic water entry; plant cell walls resist this via their rigid cellulose structure, maintaining cell integrity.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Osmosis occurs due to water potential differences, not starch presence; animal cells undergo osmosis and burst.
• B: Both cell types have vacuoles, but the key difference is the cell wall, not vacuole storage.
• C: Cell membranes are similar in strength; the cell wall, not the membrane, provides resistance.

Final answer: D