Which one of the following statements is wrong?

Options

A. Water potential is the chemical potential of the water
B. Solute potential is always negative
C. Pressure potential is zero in a flaccid cell
D. Water potential equals solute potential in a fully turgid cell

Answer

To determine which statement is wrong regarding water potential, we need to analyze each statement carefully.

1. **Statement 1**: "Water potential is the chemical potential of the water."
- This statement is true. Water potential (Ψ) is indeed related to the chemical potential of water, specifically the potential energy of water in a system compared to pure water.

2. **Statement 2**: "Water potential is determined by the solute potential."
- This statement is also true. Water potential is influenced by solute potential (Ψs), which decreases when solutes are added to water.

3. **Statement 3**: "The pressure potential in a flaccid cell is zero."
- This statement is true. In a flaccid cell, there is no turgor pressure, hence the pressure potential (Ψp) is zero.

4. **Statement 4**: "Water potential equals the solute potential in a fully turgid cell."
- This statement is false. In a fully turgid cell, the water potential (Ψw) is equal to the pressure potential (Ψp), not the solute potential (Ψs). In a turgid cell, the solute potential is negative, and the pressure potential is positive, which together give a water potential that is equal to the pressure potential.

Based on the analysis, the incorrect statement is:

**Answer**: "Water potential equals the solute potential in a fully turgid cell."