Plasmolysis from hypertonic solution Steps:

• Observations show plasmolysis: membrane separates from wall and cytoplasm shrinks, indicating water loss from cells.
• Water moves by osmosis from higher water potential (less negative) to lower (more negative).
• Direction is cells to solution, as water exits cells.
• Cell water potential must exceed solution's for net outflow (e.g., -100 kPa > -500 kPa).

Why D is correct:

• Direction matches water exiting cells; cell ψ (-100 kPa) > solution ψ (-500 kPa), driving osmosis out per water potential gradient.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Equal ψ (-500 kPa both) means no net water movement, contradicting plasmolysis.
• B: Wrong direction (into cells) and equal ψ prevent water loss.
• C: Wrong direction (into cells) despite ψ gradient favoring outflow.

Final answer: D