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3. Explain why half of a cucumber becomes soft if left lying on the kitchen table for a few days but becomes turgid if its cut end is placed in distilled water for the same duration of time? |
| Answer» <html><body><p><strong>Explanation:</strong></p><p>The process that happens to both cucumber slices is called <strong><a href="https://interviewquestions.tuteehub.com/tag/osmosis-1140049" style="font-weight:bold;" target="_blank" title="Click to know more about OSMOSIS">OSMOSIS</a></strong>, which is a diffusion of water <a href="https://interviewquestions.tuteehub.com/tag/across-367070" style="font-weight:bold;" target="_blank" title="Click to know more about ACROSS">ACROSS</a> the semipermeable membrane the potato slice cells possess. The water will <a href="https://interviewquestions.tuteehub.com/tag/either-7265046" style="font-weight:bold;" target="_blank" title="Click to know more about EITHER">EITHER</a> go into the cells, or come out of the cells, depending upon the water composition of the <a href="https://interviewquestions.tuteehub.com/tag/environment-15858" style="font-weight:bold;" target="_blank" title="Click to know more about ENVIRONMENT">ENVIRONMENT</a> they are placed in.</p><p></p><p>The first cucumber slice is placed in distilled water, which is a high concentration of almost pure water, definitely higher than that which the cucumber's cells contain. This solution is referred to as <strong>hypotonic</strong>. </p><p> The water will diffuse into the cells of the cucumber, causing them to swell; the cells may be characterized as being "<strong>turgid</strong>".</p><p></p><p>The second cucumber slice is left open to the air. This solution, or the lack thereof, may be referred to as <strong>hypertonic</strong>, meaning the water concentration of the cucumber's cells is higher than that of the environment the potato is placed in. </p><p> In this scenario, the water will diffuse out of the cucumber's cells, and evaporate into the surrounding air. The cucumber will assume a characteristic "<strong>flaccid</strong>" texture, because the <a href="https://interviewquestions.tuteehub.com/tag/cell-25680" style="font-weight:bold;" target="_blank" title="Click to know more about CELL">CELL</a> membrane has separated from the protective cell wall. It will be <strong>soft</strong> certainly without it's previous rigid structure.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>:</strong><strong>)</strong><strong>)</strong></p></body></html> | |