When a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, which of the following occurs?

Options

A. the cell takes up water and eventually bursts
B. The cell takes up water until the osmotic potential equals the pressure potential of the cell
C. plasmolysis occurs
D. nothing occurs

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Terms**:
- A **hypotonic solution** is one where the concentration of solutes is lower outside the cell compared to the inside. This means that the outside solution has a higher concentration of water relative to the inside of the cell.

2. **Placing the Plant Cell in Hypotonic Solution**:
- When a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water will move into the cell due to osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of lower solute concentration (hypotonic) to an area of higher solute concentration (hypertonic).

3. **Endosmosis**:
- The process of water moving into the cell is called **endosmosis**. As water enters, the vacuole within the plant cell fills up, leading to an increase in internal pressure.

4. **Turgidity**:
- As the cell takes up water, it becomes **turgid**. Turgidity refers to the state of being swollen or firm due to the pressure of the fluid inside the cell against the cell wall. This is a normal and healthy state for plant cells.

5. **Pressure Potential and Osmotic Pressure**:
- The plant cell will continue to take up water until the **osmotic pressure** (the pressure from water entering the cell) equals the **turgor pressure** (the pressure exerted by the cell wall). At this point, the cell reaches a state of equilibrium.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, when a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it takes up water until the osmotic pressure equals the pressure potential, resulting in a turgid cell.

### Final Answer:
When a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it takes up water until the osmotic pressure equals the pressure potential, resulting in a turgid cell.

---