Download Problems more water potential

NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: ___________ BLOCK: ____
1.
A plant cell is placed in a hypertonic environment and allowed to come to equilibrium.
Originally, the solute potential of the plant cell was –0.4 MPa and the solution had a
solute potential of -0.9 MPa. After equilibrium is reached, what is the pressure potential
of the plant cell? Would the plant cell feel turgid or flaccid?
2.
An algal cell has a solute potential of –0.35 MPa and it is in a lake that has a solute
potential of –0.05 MPa. If the algal cell is in equilibrium with the pond water, what is the
pressure potential of the algal cell? Is the algal cell flaccid or turgid?
3.
Now, pretend that the algal cell in the above question is moved to a beaker with an
osmotic pressure of 0.4888 MPa. Will the cell be flaccid or turgid at equilibrium? Explain
why.
4.
In a grapevinestudy, water was withheld for an extended period of time. Initially, the root
water potential was –0.3 Mpa. After nine days without watering, the root water potential
was –0.45. What do you think happened in the roots of the plants to cause the water
potential to drop? Hint: It is normal for water to enter roots via osmosis (from low to high
water potential).