Final answer:
In a turgid cell, the water potential (Ψ) is equal to the solute potential (ΨS), representing a state where there is no net water movement and the pressure potential is compensating for the solute potential.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a turgid cell, the correct answer is B. Ψ = ΨS. This denotes that the water potential (Ψ) of the cell is equal to the solute potential (ΨS), which is a result of the cell being in an environment where there's no net water movement, indicating a balance between the pressure and solute potentials.
When a cell is turgid, it's filled with water, and the cytoplasm exerts a positive pressure against the cell wall, known as turgor pressure (ΨP). Since turgor pressure is positive in this state, it means that water potential due to pressure (ΨP) is positive, helping to maintain the cell's rigidity. On the contrary, the solute potential (ΨS) is typically negative in a plant cell, as solutes within the cytoplasm decrease the potential energy of water. However, when the cell's water potential is referenced to the solute potential, it implies that there is no net water movement, and thus, the pressure potential will be compensating for the solute potential, leading to the overall water potential of the cell being in equilibrium with the solute potential (Ψ = ΨS).