When an Animal Cell Is Placed in a Hypotonic Solution

question 21

Multiple Choice

When an animal cell is placed in a hypotonic solution and water enters the cell via osmosis,the volume of the cell increases until it bursts.This does not happen to plant cells,because _____.

• A)they have large central vacuoles,which provide abundant space for storage of incoming water
• B)the composition of their plasma membranes differs from that of animal-cell plasma membranes in a way that provides much greater strength
• C)they have cell walls,which prevent the entry of water by osmosis
• D)they have cell walls,which provide pressure to counteract the pressure of the incoming water
• E)certain gated channel proteins embedded in their plasma membranes open as osmotic pressure decreases,allowing excess water to leave the cell

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