Which of the following is the reason why plants wilt if they are watered with a salt solution?

• A. Salt solution increases the turgor pressure inside plant cells.
• B. Osmosis causes water to move out of plant cells into the salt solution.
• C. Salt solution provides essential nutrients that cause wilting.
• D. Osmosis causes salt to move into plant cells, dehydrating them.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Identify the conditions: In this scenario, the plant cells are surrounded by a salt solution, which has a higher solute concentration than the inside of the plant cells.
3. Apply the concept of osmosis: Water will move out of the plant cells into the salt solution to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane.
4. Recognize the effect on plant cells: As water leaves the plant cells, the cells lose turgor pressure, which is the pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall.
5. Conclude the reason for wilting: The loss of turgor pressure causes the plant cells to become flaccid, leading to the wilting of the plant.