Question

When preparing the cells for observation, the scientist placed them in a solution that had a slightly higher (less negative) water potential than the cytoplasm. This did not cause the cells to burst but moved the chromosomes further apart to reduce the overlapping of the chromosomes when observed with an optical microscope.

Suggest how this procedure moved the chromosomes apart.
a) Water moved into the cells, causing them to swell.
b) Water moved out of the cells, causing them to shrink.
c) Chromosomes repelled each other due to the water potential difference.
d) Cytoplasm became denser, pushing chromosomes apart.

Answer 1

The scientist placed the cells in a hypotonic solution, causing water to move into the cells. However, the presence of a cell wall prevented the cells from bursting. Therefore, the chromosomes repelled each other due to the water potential difference.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scientist placed the cells in a solution that had a slightly higher water potential than the cytoplasm. In this case, the solution was hypotonic to the cytoplasm. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water particles move into the cell. However, in this scenario, the presence of a cell wall counteracts the osmotic pressure, preventing the cells from swelling and bursting. Therefore, option c) Chromosomes repelled each other due to the water potential difference is the most accurate answer.