Question

why does a plant cell shrivel when placed in a solution of salt water? the water moves both in and out. the water rushes into the cell. the water rushes out of the cell.

Explanation:

To determine why a plant cell shrivels in salt water, we use the concept of osmosis. Salt water is a hypertonic solution (higher solute concentration, lower water potential) compared to the plant cell's interior. By osmosis, water moves from an area of higher water potential (inside the cell) to lower water potential (outside, in salt water). So water exits the cell, causing it to shrivel. The first option (water moves both in and out) is incorrect as net movement is out. The second option (water rushes in) is wrong as that would happen in a hypotonic solution. The third option (water rushes out) matches the osmosis principle here.

Answer:

The water rushes out of the cell.