Plasmolysis in hypertonic solution

Steps:

• Observe plasmolysis: cytoplasm shrinks from cell wall, indicating water loss from cells.
• Water exits cells when external solution has lower (more negative) water potential than cytoplasm, causing shrinkage.
• Statement 1 correct: solution S is hypertonic, with more negative ψ than cytoplasm.
• Statement 2 incorrect: cell wall prevents bursting in hypotonic conditions (turgor), not relevant here.
• Statement 3 incomplete but describes plasmolysis gap, not a conclusion about cause.

Why B is correct:

• Plasmolysis confirms hypertonic solution (more negative ψ outside), validating only statement 1 per osmosis principles.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes 3, but 3 is observational, not a conclusion on cause.
• C includes 2, but cell wall supports against bursting in hypotonic, not hypertonic conditions.
• D includes only 2, which misapplies cell wall role.

Final answer: B