Question

the following question has two parts. first, answer part a. then, answer part b.
part a
a student places a marine plant in fresh water.
which statement describes a response of the cells in the plant stem?
a the cells will expand.
b photosynthesis will stop.
c waste products will increase.
d cellular respiration will slow down.

Explanation:

When a marine plant (which is adapted to a higher - salt environment) is placed in fresh water (a hypotonic solution relative to the plant cells), water will move into the plant cells by osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of lower solute concentration (fresh water) to an area of higher solute concentration (inside the plant cells). As water enters the cells, the cells will expand.
Photosynthesis is not directly affected by the change in water concentration in this simple osmosis - based scenario. Waste products are related to metabolic processes like cellular respiration and not immediately to the osmotic movement of water. Cellular respiration is also a metabolic process that is not directly and immediately affected by the osmotic change described here.

Answer:

A. The cells will expand.