If cells of onion peel and RBC are separately kept in hypotonic solution, what among the following will take place? Explain the reason for your.
(a) Both the cells will swell.
(b) RBC will burst easily while cells of onion peel will resist the bursting to some extent.
(c) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
(d) RBC and onion peel cells will behave similarly.

Explanation

The solution with higher concentration of water as compared to the cell is termed as hypotonic solution. When the cells are kept in a hypotonic solution endosmosis occurs i.e., the inward movement of water takes place. This results in the swelling up of cells. when kept in hypotonic solution the RBCs burst easily because they are animal cells and do not possess cell wall, while the onion peel possess cell wall which makes it resistant to the bursting due to swelling caused by endosmosis. Therefore, option (c) is correct.