Question

Zucchini cores are measured and determined to have a sucrose concentration of 0.36 M. Calculate the solute potential of these cells. (The temperature is 22⁰C, under standard atmospheric conditions.)

What is the water potential of the zucchini cores?

A) -8.825 bars
B) 8.825 bars
C) -0.658 bars
D) 0.658 bars

Answer 1

The solute potential of the zucchini cores can be calculated using the van 't Hoff equation. The water potential of the zucchini cores is determined by adding the solute potential and pressure potential (which is zero in this case) together.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solute potential (Y) of the zucchini cores can be calculated using the van 't Hoff equation: Y = -MiRT. In this equation, M represents the molar concentration of the solute, i is the van 't Hoff factor, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. Given that the sucrose concentration is 0.36 M, we can calculate the solute potential.

1. Convert the temperature from Celsius to Kelvin: 22°C + 273 = 295 K.
2. Plug in the values into the equation: Y = -(0.36)(1)(0.0821)(295) = -8.825 bars.

The water potential of the zucchini cores is the sum of the solute potential and the pressure potential, which is zero in this case. Therefore, the water potential of the zucchini cores is -8.825 bars.