AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -If placed in a hypotonic solution, water molecule s will enter the cell, causing it to swell and burst. Plant cells (bottom panel) become plasmolyzed in a hypertonic solution, but tend to do best in a hypotonic environment.

Detailed explanation-2: -In fact, the cytoplasm in plants is generally a bit hypertonic to the cellular environment, and water will enter a cell until its internal pressure-turgor pressure-prevents further influx. Maintaining this balance of water and solutes is very important to the health of the plant.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants thrive in hypotonic environments. Their cells have rigid cell walls that prevents bursting, or lysis. The pressure of the cytoplasm against the cell wall keeps the plant from wilting and losing its shape.

Detailed explanation-4: -If a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the plant cell loses water and hence turgor pressure by plasmolysis: pressure decreases to the point where the protoplasm of the cell peels away from the cell wall, leaving gaps between the cell wall and the membrane and making the plant cell shrink and crumple.

Detailed explanation-5: -A cell placed into a hypertonic solution will shrivel and die by a process known as plasmolysis.