ABSORPTION BY ROOTS

I. NAME THE FOLLowING:

1. Two solutions having same concentrations Isotonic solutions
2. The uptake of mineral ions against concentration gradient - Active transport
3. Tissue concerned with upward conduction of water - Xylem
4. Condition of the cell in which cell contents are shrunken - Flaccid

5. The inward movement of solvent molecules through the plasma membrane of the cell -

Endosmosis
6. The process by which raisins swell up when placed in a beaker of water Imbibition
7. The source of energy for active transport - ATP

8. The movement of molecules of a substance from a region of higher concentration to

the region of lower concentration - Diffusion
9. The movement of water molecules from a region of higher solvent concentration to
the region of lower solvent concentration through semi-permeable membrane -Osmosis
10. Flow of water from the cell to the outer environment - Exosmosis
11. Flow of water from outside environment to the cell-Endosmosis
12. Shrinkage of protoplasm when a cell is kept salt solution - Plasmolysis
13. Issuing of watery sap from an injured part of a plant - Bleeding
14. Pressure through which water can rise up to some feet -Root pressure
15. The process in which water absorption needs metabolic energy- Active transport
16. The process which do not require the expenditure ofmetabolic energy for the
movement of water - Passive transport

17. The conducting vessel through which the food moves down -Phloem
18. The pressure exerted by the cell wall to balance the turgor pressure - Wall pressure
19. One chemical substance which is transported from the leaves to the lower parts ofthe plant -

Glucose
20. The process that occurs in plants when the root pressure is high and transpiration is
low - Guttation
21. The condition ofcell placed in a hypotonic solution - Turgid
22. The process by which water enters the root hair - Osmosis

23. The process by which molecules evenly distribute themselves within the space they
occupy- Diffusion
24. A solution whose concentration is lower than that ofthe cell sap -Hypotonic solution
25. Reverse of plasmolysis -

Deplasmolysis
26. A solution whose concentration is greater than that of the cell sap - Hypertonic solution
27. The pressure exerted by the cell contents on a plant cell wall - Turgor pressure

28. The pressure which is responsible for the movement of water molecules across the
cortical cells of the root - Root pressure

X Standard, BSS Page 1

29. The tissue responsible for ascent of sap- Xylem
30. The structure which acts as a semi-permeable membrane - Plasma membrane
31. One chemical substance which is transported from the roots to the shoot - Water/

dissolved mineral salts

Il. SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER OUT OF THE CHOICES GIVEN UNDER
EACH QUESTION:
. Water will be absorbed by root hairs when:
a) Concentration of salts in the soil is high b) Concentration of solutes in the cell sap is
high c) The plant cell is rapidly respiring d) They are separated from the soil by
semi- permeable membrane.
2. Which of the following statements is wrong?
a) Plants absorb only one thing at atime- water or inorganic salts.
b) Water & inorganic salts are taken in simultaneously by root hairs.
c) Plants take in small quantity of mineral salts through root hairs.
d) Roots are one of the mineral absorbing organs of the plant.
3. Root cap has no role in absorption because it has:
a) No direct connection with vascular system b) Loosely arranged cells. e) No root hairs
d) No cells containing chloroplasts.
4. Wilting of plants occurs when:
a) Phloem is blocked b) Xylem is blocked c) both xylem & phloem are blocked
d) A few old roots are removed.
5. Xylem transport water in tall trees appears to be mainly due to
a) Metabolic activity in xylem cells b) Root pressure c) Capillary rise in xylem open pipes
d) Transpiration pull & cohesion of water molecules.
6. Root pressure is maximum when:
a) Transpiration is high and absorption is low b) Absorption is low & transpiration is very
low c) Transpiration is very low & absorption is very high d) Absorption is very high &
transpiration is very high.
1. In plants water supply is due to
a) Osmosis b) Imbibition c) Guttation d) Cohesive force.
8. A plant cell kept in concentrated salt solution shows
a) plasmolysis b) deplasmolysis c) turgidity
9. Wooden doors & windows usually swell during the rainy season because they absorb water
due to
a) Osmosis b) Diffusion c) Imbibition d) Plasmolysis
10. In tall trees ascent of sap takes place by
a) turgor pressure b) root pressure c) transpiration pull
1. The space between the cell wall and plasma membrane in a plasmolysed cell is filled with

X Standard, BSS Page 2

 solution c) Hypertonie solution d) Water
a) Isotonic solution b) Hypotonic
12 What is responsible for guttation?
a) Osmotic pressure b) Root pressure c) Suction pressure d) Capillarity
13. Active salt absorption by the roots depends on:
a) Active water absorption b) Activity of xylem cells c) Expenditure of energy
d) Breaking up of water molecule.

14.An example of selectively permeable membrane is

a) Cell wall b) Mitochondrial membrane c) Chloroplast membrane d) Plasmalemm
15.Grapes when placed in strong sugar solution shrink because of
a) plasmolysis b) diffusion c) exosmosis d) endosmosis
16. The rigidity of the soft plant tissues is due to
a) Turgidity b) Flaccidity c) Plasmolysis d) Deplasmolysis
17. Water absorption by the roots from the soil can only take place when soil solution is
aHypotonic to cell sap b) Hypertonic to cell sap C) Isotonic to cell sap d) None of these.

II. MENTION IF THE FOLLOWING ARE 'TRUE OR FALSE', IF FALSE RE-WRITE

THE CORRECT STATEMENT:
I. Cells that have lost their water content are said to be deplasmolysed - False
Cells that have lost their water content are said to be plasmolysed.
2. Xylem is the water conducting tissue in plants - True
3. There is shrinkage of protoplasm, when the cell is kept in hypotonic solution - False

There is shrinkage of protoplasm when the cell is kept in hypertonic solution

4. The cell wall of the root cell is a differentially permeable membrane False
The cell wall of the root is freely permeable.
5. Osmosis regulates the opening and closing o f stomata - False

Turgidity of guard cells regulates the opening and closing of stomata.

6. Root hairs are thin, delicate prolongations o f cortex - False

Root hairs are thin delicate prolongation of epidermis.

7. Transpiration pull is essential to conduct water in herbs- False
Transpiration pull is essential to conduet water in tall trees. (or)
Root pressure is essential to conduct water in herbs
8. When root pressure is high and transpiration is low, water drops ooze through hydathodes. It
is called T ranspiration - False

When root pressure is high and transpiration is low water drops ooze through
hydathodes. It is called guttation
9. Exosmosis takes place during plasmolysis-True
10. The root hairs allow the passage of all substances False
The root hairs allow the passage of certain substances

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 11. For net diffusion of molecules there should be a concentration gradient -True
12.95% of water absorption is due to passive absorption - True

13. Turgor is important to young plants for support- True

IV. DEFNE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Imbibition - Imbibition is a phenomenon by which living or dead plants absorb water
by surface attraction.
2. Diffusion -Diffusion is the free movement of molecules of a substance (solute or
solvent, gas, iquid) from the region of their higher concentration to the region of their
lower concentration when the two are in a direct contact.
3. Osmosis - Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a more dilute solution
(with a lower solute concentration) to a less dilute solution (with a higher solute
concentration) across a semi - permeablemembrane.

4. Active transport- Active transport is the passage of a substance (salt or ion) from its
lower to higher concentration, using energy from the cel, through a living cell
membrane.
5. Turgidity- Turgidity is a condition in which cells are distended due to increase in the
volume of vacuoles due to the absorption of water.
6. Flaccidity - Flaccidity is the condition in which the cell contents are shrunken and the
cell is no more tight.
7. Turgor pressure -The pressure exerted by the cell contents on the cell wall.
8. Wall pressure - the pressure exerted by the cell wall on the cell contents.
9. Osmotic pressure - Osmotic pressure is the minimum pressure that must be exerted to
prevent the passage of the pure solvent into the solution when the two are separated by a
semi - permeable membrane.
10. Root pressure - Root pressure is the pressure developed in the roots due to cotinued
inward movement of water through cell to cell osmosis which helps in the ascent of cell
sap upward through the stem.
11. Guttation - Loss of excessive water in the form oftiny drops along the margin of the

leaves.
12. Bleeding-Loss of water (cell sap) through a cut stem or injured part of plant.
V. DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN:
1. Diffusion and osmosis
Diffusion
| Liquid and gases can diffuse over considerable
Osmosis
Water only transported over a short distance
distances
Movement of the molecules of solute or Movement of the molecules of only water as
solvent solvent
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 Rapid in gases, but slow in solutions Slowprocess
Transport of water from a solution of low
Transport from high to low concentration
concentration (more water molecules) to that
alonga gradient
of a high concentration (fewer water
molecules
Occurs with or without a non-living membrane | Either a living or non-living semi-permeable
membrane needed
2.Turgid and flaccid cell
Turgid cel Flaccid cell
Cell wall of cell is rigid and stretched Cell wall of cell is not rigid but cell content is

shrunken
vacuole and
The volume of vacuole is increased due to Thecell loses water from
absorption of water cytoplasm under plasmolyticcondition
It occurs due to exosmosis
It occurs due toendosmosis
3. Plasmolysis and deplasmolysis
Plasmolysis Deplasmolysis
There is contraction of protoplasm from the There is swelling of protoplasm pressing tight
cell wall due to withdrawal of water against cell wall duetorecovery of water
It results in the flaccid condition of the cells It results in the turgid condition of the cells

and plants andthe plants

Caused due to endosmosis
Caused dueto exosmosis
4. Isotonicand hypertonicsolutions
Isotonic solution Hypertonic solution
A solution whose relative concentration of A solution whose concentration is more than
water molecules and the solute is equal to that that of the cell sap is known as hypertonic
solution
ofthe cell sap is known as isotonic solution
5. Hpertonicand hypotonic solutions
Hypertonic solution Hypotonic solution
A solution whose concentration is more than A solution whose concentration is less than
that of the cell sap is known as hypertonic that of cell sap is known as hypotonic solution
Solution

6. Activetransport and passivetransport

Active transport Passive transport
| Living cells of the root play active role Living cells of the root do not play any active
role. They carry water passively.

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There is utilization ofenergy There is no utilization of energy
It cannot occur in absence of root as the force It can occur even in absence of root as the

for active absorption develops in root itself forcefor passive absorption develops in shoot
It is the passage of a substance from its lower It is free movement of molecules from their
tohigher concentration, using energy from the higher concentration to their lower
concentration without using energy from the
cell, through a living cell membrane
cell

7. Endosmosis and exosmosis

Endosmosis Exosmosis
It isthe inward diffusion of water througha It is the outward diffusion ofwater through
semi-permeablemembrane semi-permeable membrane
Surrounding solutionisless concentrated Surrounding solution ismore concentrated
Tends to swell up the cell Tends to cause shrinkage of the cell

8.Root pressure and Osmotic pressure

RootRoot pressure Osmotic pressure
Is the pressure developed in the roots due to
Is the minimum pressure that must be exerted
continued inward movement of water through to prevent the passage of the pure solvent into
cellto cell osmosis thesolution by asemi-permeable membrane
Helps in ascent of cell sap upward through the |Helps to prevent osmosis and thereby prevent
| Stem increase in the volume of solution
VI. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

1. The figure given alongside represents the set - up at the start of the experiment to

demonstrate an activity in plants:

a. What is the aim of the experiment?
To demonstrate that the roots absorb water
b. Why has oil been put in each test tube?
To prevent any loss of water by evaporation
c. What will be the observations in the two test tubes
after about 2-3 days?
The level of water in test tube A falls
The level of water in the test tubeB remains same
d. Give reason to explain any change observed as answered
in (c) above.
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 tube A falls because the roots absorb water which is lost by
The level of water in test
transpiration.
e. Why has the test tube 'B', without the plant, been taken in the experiment?
It is taken as control

2. The figure alongside represents a root hair.

a. Label the parts 1-4.
2-Vacuole 3-Cell membrane
1-Nucleus
4-Cell wall
b. Which part acts as a semi-permeable membrane? 3
Cell membrane
c. Why is the root hair one celled?
Root hair is one celled because it is the extension of the outer singl&4 ermal cells of
root.
d. Name and define the process by which water enters the cell.
Osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a more dilute solution (with a
lower solute concentration) to a less dilute solution (with a higher solute
concentration) across a semi -permeable membrane.
e. Draw a labeled sketch of the cell if water was drawn out of it.

Flaccid cell

Shrunken
cytoplasm

3. The apparatus shown below in the figure is set up for an THISTLE FUNNEL-
STAND
experiment. After sometime the level of the liquid in the BEAKER-
vertical section increased. LIQUD 1-
LIQUID 2-
a. What process does the experiment demonstrate? GOATS BLADDER -

Osmosis
b. Name the two liquids that could be used in this experiment.
1-Water&
2-Sugar solution
c. Why did the level of the liquid in the vertical tube rise?

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 The level of the liquid in the vertical tube rises due to movement
of water molecules from beaker to thistle funnel through goats bladder due to
osmosis.
occurs and what is the
d. Give one example in plants in which the above process
advantage of this process
of water and minerals by root hairs occur by osmosis.
Absorption
Advantage:
1. Absorption of water and minerals
2. Develops turgidity and so maintains turgor pressure
3. Allows the movement of water from one cell to another
4. Regulates the opening and closing of stomata

4. An experiment was set up with a raw potato. The skin of the tuber was removed
and slices were taken off from all sides giving it the shape of a square block. The
central portion was scooped out to form a cup. Strong sugar solution was put in the
cup and the liquid level was marked by inserting a pin. The whole potato block,was
put in a dish containing water coloured with a drop of red ink
a. What is the purpose of the red ink in the water?
Red ink in the water is to ensure the direction of movement of
water molecules
b. What change would you expect in the cavity of the potato
after one hour?
The level of sugar solution inside the potato scoop or cavity increases and would be
red in colour
c. Give an explanation for this change
The level of sugar solution inside the potato cavity increases as water molecules
move from the beaker to cavity through the living cells of potato due to osmosis.
d. If the raw potato is replaced by a boiled potato, but otherwise treated the same
way, what difference would there be in the result of the experiment.
No change would be observed

5. Given below is the diagram of an experiment just at the

start. Study the diagram carefully and answer the
following question 10%SUCROSE SOLUTION S SUCROSE SOLUTION

a. What phenomenon is intended to be shown by SUCROSEMOLECUE -WATBR AMOLECUES

this experiment?
Osmosis SEMI PERMEABLE
MEMBRANE
b. Which limb of the U-tube contains more concentrated

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 sucrose solution A or B?
Limb-A
c. Why have the two kinds of molecules been shown in different sizes?
So as to differentiate between solute and solvent molecules.
d. Why is the membrane separating the two solutions labeled as semi-permeable
membrane?
Because it allows movement of solvent molecules only
e. Which limb of the U-tube (A or B) is funetionally comparable to the root hairs
of a plant?
Limb-A
f. Redraw the diagram to show the result of the experiment after a few hours.

zlsotonic solutions

Semipermeable membrane

6. A complete ring of bark was removed from a tree in spring. The tree continued to
live through the summer but a swelling appeared on the bark above the ring while
the bark below shriveled up.
a. Account for the swelling in the bark above the ring.
The swelling in the bark above the ring is due to accumulation of food because
phloem has been removed from that part.
b. Account for the shrinking of the bark below the ring.
Due to lack of food supply
c. Name the tissue that distributes food in the plants.
Phloem SWLIINGG

d. Name the tissue that distributes water in the plants.

SHRVLLIENn_
Xylem DARK

e. What is the role of the bark in the plant?

1. Protects the inner tissues
SPRNG SUAAER
2. Protects from the attack of insects and fungi
3. Protects loss of water due to evaporation

7. A thin strip of an epidermal cell from the fleshy scale of an onion bulb was

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 examined in a drop of water under a microscope. All epidermal cells looked alike
and the figure shows one of them: The thin strip was then transferred to a drop of

sugar solution on a slide and re-examined under the microscope after about 5
minutes.
a. Make a drawing of one of the epidermal cells as it
would appear after immersion in strong sugar solution.

-Cull oall
Nuelus
-Shmunkn ytoplaa
Epidermal cell after immersion
in strong sugar solution

b. What scientific term is used for the change shown in (a).

Plasmolysis
c. What would you do to bring this cell back to its original condition?
By placing it in hypotonic solution/ tap water
d. Give the scientific term use for the recovery of the cells as a result of the step
taken in (C) above.
Deplasmolysis
8. The figure below represents the results of an experiment conducted on two
freshly taken leafy shoots. Of a herbaceous plant. The lower ends of the shoots dip
in ordinary water.

a.What is the aim of the experiment?

To show that xylem conducts water

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 b. Some parts of the stem in both the shoots have been removed. Name the
conducting tissue in shoot A and in shoot B that has been removed.
Shoot A- Phloem has been removed
Shoot B- Xylem has been removed
c. What are the results in this experiment?
The leaves in shoot A remain turgid and normal as they get sufficient amount of wate
from the xylem. The leaves in the shoot B wilt and droop down as they do not get
suficient amount of water as the xylem is removed.

10. The figure A' shows a cell in the normal state and B' shows the same cell after
leaving in certain solution for few minutes.
a. Describe the change which has occurred in the cell as seen in B.
There is shrinkage of protoplasm from the cell wall
caused by exosmosis
b. Give the technical terms for the condition of 2
the cell as reached in B and as it was in A.
A-Turgid
B-Flacid
c. Define the process which led to this condition.
Plasmolysis is contraction of protoplasm from the
cell wall caused due to withdrawal of water
when placed in strong ( hypertonic ) solution
A B
d. What was the solution -isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic, in which the
cell was kept?
Hypertonic
e. How can the cell in B, be brought back to its original condition?
By placing cell B in hypotonic solution
f. Name the parts numbered 1-3.
1-Cell wall
2-Plasma membrane
3- Protoplasm/ cytoplasm

11. The figure.' represents a plant cell after being placed in a strong solution.
Guide lines 1 to 5 indicate the following:
1. cell wall 2. strong sugar solution 3.protoplasm 4. large vacuole 5. nucleus.
Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:
a. What is the state of the cell shown in the figure.

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 Flaccid
b. Name the structure which acts as s

selectively permeable membrane.

Cell membrane
c. If the cell had been placed in distilled water
instead of strong sugar solution which feature
would not have been present?
Shrunken protoplasm
d. If thecel in the diagram possessed chloroplasts where would these be present?
Cytoplasm
e. Name one feature of this plant cell which is not present in the animal cells.
Presence of Cell wall

12. The figure beside depicts a plant cell placed in a liquid. Observe the figure and
answer the questions that follow.
a. Which of the term best describes the condition shown
in the diagram-turgid, flaccid, dead, plasmolyzed.
Plasmolysed X

b. Which of the following solutions would have caused

the condition?
i. Very weak sugar solution.
ii. Very strong sugar solution.
ii. A solution having same concentration as that of cell sap.
Very strong sugar solution
c. What is present in the region marked X in the figure.

Cytoplasm
13. The diagram shows an experiment. Answer the
following questions: -2
a. What is the aim of the experiment?
To demonstrate root pressure in plants
b. Name the parts 1 to 5
1-Glass tube
2-Mercury
3-Cell sap
4-Rubber Tubing
5-Root system

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 same after few hours?
c. What is your conclusion after observing the
The level of mercury in the glass tubing increases.
The upward movement of sap and mercury is due to
root pressure

14. This is a cross section of root showing certain process.

ROOT HAIR

WATER ENTERING
ROOT HAIR

a. What process is shown here?

Cell to cell osmosis
b. Label the various kinds of cells 1 -4 proving a path to the entry ofwater.
1-Epidermal cell 2-Epiblema 3- Endodermis 4-Xylem
c. Name the tissue responsible for the conduction of water further in plant.
Xylem
d. State the reason responsible for absorption of water through root hair and
then its conduction further in the tissues.
The roots absorb water by the process of osmosis then water moves into the cortical cells by
cell to cell osmosis. This builds up root pressure in the root tissue. As one turgid cell presses
the next cell the force of the flow of water increases inward and water reaches xylem which
helps in ascent of sap
e. How does this water come Out of the plant? (Name the process)
Transpiration
15. The figure given below shows the epidermal cells of an onion bulb,,
This cell was then transferred to a drop of sugar solution.
a. Draw a labelled diagram of the epidermal cell as it a
would appear after immersion in a strong solution.

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 - Cell uoal!

}Nuelus
Shunken

Epidermal cell alter immesion

in strong sugat solution

b. What scientific term is used for the changes as shown in (a) above?
Plasmolysis
c. What should be done to restore the cell back to its original condition?
Cell should be placed in hypotonic solution
d. Give the scientific term for the recovery of the cell as a result of the step taken in (c)
above
Deplasmolysis
e. Define the term osmosis.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a more dilute solution (with a lower
solute concentration) to a less dilute solution (with a higher solute concentration) across

semi -permeable membrane.

16. The diagram below represents a layer of epidermal cells showing a fully grown root
hair. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:
a. Name the parts labeled A, B, C and D.
A-Cell wall
B-Cellmembrane D
C-Vacuole
D- Nucleus
b. The root hair cell is in a turgid state. Name and
this state.
explain the process that caused
Osmosis/ endosmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a more dilute solution (with a lower
solute concentration) to a less dilute solution (with a higher solute concentration) across a
semi-permeable membrane.
c. Mention distinet differences between the parts labeled A and B.
A-Cell wall is freely permeable, non living and made of cellulose
B-Cell membrane is selectively permeable, living and made of lipoprotein

d. Draw a diagram of the above root hair cell as it would appear when a concentrated
solution of fertilizers is added near it.

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 ileus Celluoall

Vacuole

Cell menhane

17. Given below is the diagram of an apparatus set up to study a very important
physiological process:
a. Name the process being studied.
Osmosis
THISTLE
b. Explain the process. FUNNEL

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a more

dilute solution (with a lower solute concentration) to a less
dilute solution (with a higher solute concentration) across WATER-
a semi - permeable membrane.
BEAKER.
c. What change would you observe in the thistle
funnel containing sugar solution after about 10 minutes?
Level of sugar solution in the thistle funnel rises
d. Is sugar solution hypertonic or hypotonic?
Hypertonic
e. Name the part of the plant cell which is represented by the sugar solution.
Cell sap in vacuole

18. Given below are diagrams of plant cells as seen under the microscope after having
been placed in two different solutions: PLASMA
a. What is the technical term for the condition of: CELL WALL MEMBRANE
1. Cell A 2. Cell BB?
1. Cell A- Turgid
2. Cell B Flaccid
b. From the solutions given in brackets (water, strong sugar
solution, 1% salt solution) name the solution into which:
1. Cell A 2. Cell B was placed before being viewed
under the microscope.
1. Cell A-Water A R
2. Cell B-Strong sugar solution
c. Under what conditions in the soil will the root hair cell resemble -1.Cell A 2. Cell B?
1. Cell A- hypotonic condition in the soil

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 2. Cell B-Hypertonic condition in the
soil
the movement of water from the root hair cell to
d. Name the pressure responsible for
the xylem of the root. How is it set up?
Root Pressure
Root pressure is set up due to the alternate turgidity
and flaccidity of the root hair cell and
the cells ofthe cortex/ cell to cell osmosiss
e. Name the pressure
that helps in the movement of water up the xylem of the root.
Root Pressure, Suction pressure / Transpirational pull

19. Given below is the diagram of a cell as seen under the microscope after having been
placed in a solution.
a.
What is the technical term used for the state/condition of the
cell given above?
Flaccid
b. Give the technical term for the solution in which the cell
was placed.
Hypertonic Solution
c. Name the parts numbered 1 to 4.
1- Nucleus
2-Chloroplast
3-Vacuole
4-Hypertonic solution
in support of
d. Is the cell given above a plant cell or an animal cell? Give two
reasons

your answer as evident from the diagram.

Plant Cel
because the cell has cell wall and prominent vacuole
e. What would you do to bring this cell back to its original condition?
Place the cell in hypotonic solution
f.Explain why much saltis added to pickles.
Salt is hypertonic in nature .The increased concentration of salt causes
in and
plasmolysis and death of any bacteria or mould that may creep
prevent the pickles from getting spoiled.

20. Study the diagram given below and answer the

OL

questions that follow: TEST TUBE

a. Name the physiological process being studied. WATER

Absorption
b. What will be observed in the two test tubes after

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 two to three days?
Test tube A The level of water decreases
-

Test tube B- No change in the level of water

answer in (ii) above.
c. Give a reason for your

The level of water decreases in test tube A because the water absorbed by the roots is lost by
transpiraiton
There is no change in test tube B because there is no plant to absorb the water.
d. Why is the surface of water covered with oil?
The surface of the water is covered by oil to prevent any loss of water by evaporation.
e. State the purpose of setting up test tube B.
Test tube B is set up as a control to show that the water is not lost without plant in it.

cubes and
21. A candidate in order to study the process of osmosis has taken 3 potato
After 24 hours, in the
put them in 3 different beakers containing 3 different solutions.
first beaker the potato cube increased in size, in the second beaker the potato
decreased in size and in the third beaker there was no change in the size of the potato
cube. The following diagram shows the result of the same experiment:

SIZE DECREASED SIZE REMAINS SAME

SIZE INCREASED

a. Give the technical terms of the solutions used in beakers, 1, 2 and 3.

1-Hypotonicsolution
2-Hypertonic solution
3 Isotonic solution
Explain the in
b. In beaker 3 the size of the potato cube remains the same. reason

brief.
There is no difference in concentration of cell sap and concentration
of solution in beaker
osmosis and the size of
3. Therefore no net movement of water movement i.e there is no
potato remains same
c. Write the specific feature of the cell sap of root
hairs which helps in absorption of
water.
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 Cell sap is hypertonic/concentrated
d. How does a cell wall and a cell membrane differ in their permeability?
Cell wall is freely membrane whereas Cell membrane is semi permeable / selectively
permeable

22. What is the significance of osmosis?

1.It helps in the absorption of water and minerals by the plants
2. It develops turgidity and so maintains turgor pressure in plant cells
3. It allows the movement of water from one cell to another, thereby ensuring flow of
minerals too.
4.It regulates the opening and closing of stomata

23. State two manifestations of root pressure.

1. Helps in ascent of sap in small herbaceous plants
2. Helps in conduction of water to stem of plant

22. EXPLAIN BRIEFLY:

a) An uprooted plant dies.
An uprooted plant usually lacks root hairs and thus cannot absorb water or moisture from air
and so dies

b) Root hairs are best suited for the absorption of water from the soil.
Root hairs are best suited for the absorption of water from soil because
1. Surface area ofroot hairs is enormous
2. Root hairs contain cell sap ofhigher concentration than that of surrounding water
3. Root hairs have thin walls

c) The mechanism of closing and opening of stomata.

During day time the chloroplasts of guard cells photosynthesize producing glucose which
increases the concentration of the cell sap, this leads to endosmosis of water from
surrounding water from the surrounding epidermal cells. So, the outer thin wall of guard
cells bulges out due to turgidity, pulling the inner thick wall also outwards, thus opening
stomata.
But during night, the guard cells do not perform photosynthesis, so concentration of cell sap
decreases leading to exosmosis of water from the guard cells to the surrounding epidermal
cells due to loss ofturgidity. Thus, the guard cells restore to their original shape, closing the
stomata.

X Standard, BSS Page 18

 The soaked seeds /raisins swell up and burst their
seed coats.
d) continues to diffuse in
Raisins swell up due to imbibition when soaked in water. Water
through the membranous cover of the raisins. This influx of water builds up the internal
pressure and the burst.

e)We gargle with saline solution in case of throat infection.

Saline solution is hypertonic, it causes plasmolysis of the germ cells which cause throat
infection and kill them.

The leaves of wilted lettuce, if kept in cold water become crisp.

Endosmosis occurs and flaccid leaves become turgid making it crisp

g) Bacteria and fungi do not grow in pickles, jams, jellies, squashes etc.
Pickles are salted, jams, jellies, squashes contain excess sugar or preservatives which are
hypertonic. Bacteria and fungi are killed due to plasmolysis in concentrated solutions.

h) The grass in a lawn becomes greener if a little fertilizer is added to it, but it dies if a
lot of it is added.
Addition of little fertilizers serves to be hypotonic which causes endosmosis this provides
nutrients and minerals to the leaves to synthesis more chlorophyll and appear greener.
Addition of lot of fertilizers serves to be hypertonic which causes plamolysis and plant dies.

i) Grapes shrink when kept in honey.

Honey acts as hypertonic solution and causes exosmosis in grapes. The grapes loose water
and shrink.

j) A closed can containing dried seeds bursts open, if some water enters it accidentally.
The seeds can swell due to imbibition. This increases turgor pressure and can burst.
k) Wooden doors and windows swell up during rainy season.
The wooden doorsabsorb water due to imbibition. The cells become turgid and increase in
size.

) RBC's burst when kept distilled water.

in
The RBC's swell due to endosmosis. This increases
up turgor pressure and thus burst the
cell membrane of RBC's.

m) The leaves of touch-me-not plant droop down on slight touching.

X Standard, BSS
Page 19
The stimulus of touch leads to loss of turgor at the base of petioles.

n) Marine fish burst when thrown under tap water.

ea water is salty and hence, the cells of marine fish are hypertonic in nature. When thrown
under tap water which is hypotonic, endosmosis takes place and cell swell up and burst

X Standard, BSS Page 20