Question

an investigation involving osmosis and plant cells was performed by a group of students. sweet potatoes were used as the source of plant cells in the experiment. a sweet potato was diced into evenly sized and shaped cubes and placed in beakers containing various glucose concentrations. the experimental setup is shown in the table here. which statement describes the most likely results seen in beaker 3? a water will enter and leave the cells at the same rate via osmosis. b water will enter the cells at a greater rate due to the simple diffusion of molecules. c water will leave the cells at a greater rate than it enters the cells due to active transport. d glucose molecules will move from the cells into the solution in the beaker via facilitated diffusion.

Explanation:

1. First, recall the concept of osmosis: the movement of water across a semi - permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
2. In a situation where the solute (glucose) concentration inside the plant cells (sweet potato cells) is equal to the solute concentration in the beaker (beaker 3, we can infer it's an isotonic solution), water will move into and out of the cells at the same rate.
3. Option B: Simple diffusion of water is osmosis, but if it's isotonic, the rates are equal, so B is wrong.
4. Option C: Active transport is for moving substances against concentration gradients, not for water movement in this context (water moves by osmosis, a type of passive transport), so C is wrong.
5. Option D: Glucose monomers moving out via facilitated diffusion would be if the cell has a higher glucose concentration, but in an isotonic setup, the net movement of glucose wouldn't be as described, and also the question is about water, so D is wrong.
6. Option A: In an isotonic solution, the water potential inside and outside the cell is the same, so water enters and leaves the cells at the same rate via osmosis.

Answer:

A. Water will enter and leave the cells at the same rate via osmosis.