`Psi_(w)`inside plant cells is

Options

A. Negative
B. Zero
C. 100
D. Positive

Answer

To determine the water potential (Ψw) inside plant cells, we need to understand the concept of water potential and its implications in plant physiology. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand Water Potential
Water potential (Ψw) is a measure of the potential energy of water in a system compared to pure water. It is defined as the difference in free energy of water molecules in a solution versus pure water.

**Hint:** Water potential is influenced by solute concentration and pressure.

### Step 2: Identify the Values of Water Potential
Water potential can take on various values:
- Pure water has a water potential of 0 (maximum).
- Solutions with solutes have negative water potentials because the presence of solutes reduces the free energy of water.

**Hint:** The presence of solutes in water decreases its potential energy.

### Step 3: Determine the Water Potential in Plant Cells
In plant cells, the presence of solutes (like sugars and salts) means that the water potential will be negative. This is because the solutes lower the free energy of water compared to pure water.

**Hint:** The more solute present, the more negative the water potential.

### Step 4: Compare Water Potentials
Water moves from areas of higher water potential (less negative) to areas of lower water potential (more negative). For plants to absorb water from the soil, their cells must have a more negative water potential than the surrounding soil water.

**Hint:** Water moves from areas of higher water potential to lower water potential.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Since the water potential inside plant cells is influenced by solute concentration, it is always negative. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the water potential (Ψw) inside plant cells is negative.

**Final Answer:** The water potential inside plant cells is negative.

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