Select incorrect statement for water potential / free energy

Options

A. Free energy represents the potential to do work.
B. The potential energy of water is referred to as water potential.
C. All living organisms require free energy to grow and reproduce
D. Increasing pressure decreases the free energy and the water potential in a system.

Answer

To solve the question of selecting the incorrect statement regarding water potential or free energy, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Free Energy in Thermodynamics**:
- Free energy in thermodynamics is defined as the potential to do work. This is a fundamental concept that applies to all living organisms, including plants.

2. **Define Water Potential**:
- The free energy of water is specifically referred to as water potential. This means that water potential is a measure of the potential energy of water in a system.

3. **Evaluate the Statements**:
- **Option 1**: "The free energy represents the potential to do work."
- This statement is correct.
- **Option 2**: "The potential energy of the water is referred to as water potential."
- This statement is also correct, as water potential is indeed related to the potential energy of water.
- **Option 3**: "All living organisms require the free energy to grow and reproduce."
- This statement is correct as well, since all organisms need free energy for growth and reproduction.
- **Option 4**: "Increasing pressure decreases the free energy and water potential in a system."
- This statement is incorrect. In fact, increasing pressure typically increases both the free energy and water potential in a system.

4. **Select the Incorrect Statement**:
- Based on the evaluation, the incorrect statement is **Option 4**: "Increasing pressure decreases the free energy and water potential in a system."

### Final Answer:
The incorrect statement is **Option 4**: "Increasing pressure decreases the free energy and water potential in a system."

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