Elodea leaf cells are placed in a hypotonic solution relative to their cytoplasm. Which outcome is most consistent with osmosis in plant cells?

• A. Water moves into the cells, the central vacuole swells, and the cells become turgid (firm).
• B. Water moves out of the cells, the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall (plasmolysis), and the cells become flaccid.
• C. There is no net water movement because hypotonic solutions have the same solute concentration as the cytoplasm.
• D. Solute particles diffuse into the cells until the cell wall ruptures, with no significant water movement.

Answer: (A)