Question

At 25°C a plant cell containing 0.4 M glucose is placed in a beaker containing a 0.5 M glucose solution exposed to the open air. The plant cell is in equilibrium with this solution. What is the plant cell's pressure potential?

Answer 1

The pressure potential of a plant cell is equal to the osmotic pressure of the solution it is in equilibrium with. To calculate the osmotic pressure, use the formula π = iCRT, where π is the osmotic pressure, i is the van 't Hoff factor, C is the molar concentration, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pressure potential, also known as turgor pressure, of a plant cell is a measure of the pressure exerted by the contents of the cell against its cell wall. In this case, the plant cell is in equilibrium with a 0.5 M glucose solution. The osmotic pressure of the solution is equal to the pressure potential of the cell.

To calculate the osmotic pressure of the solution, we can use the formula π = iCRT, where π is the osmotic pressure, i is the van 't Hoff factor, C is the molar concentration, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

In this case, the molar concentration of glucose in the solution is 0.5 M, and the temperature is 25°C. The van 't Hoff factor for glucose is 1, as it does not dissociate into ions in solution. By substituting these values into the formula, we can calculate the osmotic pressure of the solution.

Answer 2

At equilibrium with a 0.5 M solution, the plant cell's pressure potential would be effectively zero, as there is no net movement of water, and the cell's turgor pressure balances the osmotic potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a plant cell containing 0.4 M glucose is placed in a beaker containing 0.5 M glucose solution at 25°C and the cell is in equilibrium with this solution, we can assume that the osmotic pressure inside the cell and the beaker solution is the same, with no net movement of water. Since the question revolves around the plant cell's pressure potential, which includes turgor pressure, we look for an indication of cell wall stress due to water pressure within the cell.

Given no additional details are provided about the solute potential or any mechanical pressure being applied, and the cell is at equilibrium, this implies that the cell's pressure potential is balancing out the osmotic potential created by the solute concentration difference. In the absence of other forces, the plant cell's pressure potential is effectively zero, considering the real scenario where a plant cell's turgor pressure is positive and maintains the structure.