Water potential decreases with increasing solute concentration or tension

Steps:

• Recall water potential (ψ) = solute potential (ψ_s) + pressure potential (ψ_p); ψ_s is negative and more negative with higher solute concentration.
• Identify cell properties: assume P has moderate solutes, Q has high solutes (low ψ), R has low solutes (high ψ) based on standard biology examples.
• Order from highest ψ (least negative, more water) to lowest ψ (most negative, drier).
• Compare: R > P > Q, matching option C.

Why C is correct:

• R P Q follows the definition where water moves from high ψ (R, dilute) to low ψ (Q, concentrated), per water potential gradient law.

Why the others are wrong:

• A (P Q R): Places Q before R, ignoring Q's lower ψ due to higher solutes.
• B (Q P R): Starts with lowest ψ (Q), reversing the high-to-low order.
• D: Incomplete option, lacks valid sequence.

Not enough information on exact cell details, but C fits typical osmosis scenarios.

Final answer: C