A RBC and a plant cell (with thick cell wall) are placed in distilled water. The solute concentration is the same in both the cells. What changes would be observed in them

Options

A. Both plant cell and RBC would not undergo change
B. The RBC would increase in size and burst, while the plant cell would remain about the same size
C. The plant cell would increase in size and burst , while the RBC would remain about the same size
D. Both plant cell and RBC would decrease in size and collapse

Answer

To solve the question regarding the changes observed in a red blood cell (RBC) and a plant cell when placed in distilled water, we will analyze the situation step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Environment**:
- Both the RBC and the plant cell are placed in distilled water, which is a hypotonic solution relative to the solute concentration inside the cells.

2. **Identifying the Cell Types**:
- The RBC is an animal cell and lacks a cell wall.
- The plant cell has a thick cell wall.

3. **Osmosis Process**:
- Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
- In this case, water will move from the distilled water (hypotonic) into both cells (which have the same solute concentration).

4. **Effect on the RBC**:
- As water enters the RBC, it will swell due to the influx of water.
- Since the RBC does not have a cell wall to withstand the pressure, it will eventually burst (lyse) due to the excessive internal pressure.

5. **Effect on the Plant Cell**:
- Water will also enter the plant cell, causing it to swell.
- However, the thick cell wall of the plant cell exerts pressure (turgor pressure) that prevents it from bursting. Instead, the plant cell will become turgid but maintain its shape.

6. **Conclusion**:
- The RBC will increase in size and burst.
- The plant cell will increase in size but will not burst, remaining intact.

### Final Answer:
The correct observation is that the RBC would increase in size and burst while the plant cell would remain about the same size. Therefore, the answer is **Option 2**.