Osmosis in hypertonic solution causes water loss and plasmolysis

Steps:

• Potato cylinder loses weight after immersion in salt solution, indicating net water loss from cells.
• Osmosis drives water movement from higher water potential (potato cells) to lower water potential (salt solution).
• Salt solution has higher solute concentration, making it hypertonic relative to potato cells.
• Water exits cells, leading to plasmolysis where cytoplasm shrinks from cell walls.

Why A is correct:

• Plasmolysis occurs in hypertonic solutions with higher solute concentration, matching water loss as cells lose turgor and volume.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Lower solute concentration (hypotonic) causes water influx, making cells turgid and gaining weight.
• C: Duplicate of A, but if misinterpreted as non-plasmolysed state, it fails to explain water loss.
• D: Lower concentration leads to turgor, not weight loss, as water enters cells.

Final answer: A