A plant cell placed in water will

Options

A. Swell up and become turgid
B. Swell up and burst
C. Lose water and become flaccid
D. Shrink and die.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Environment**: When a plant cell is placed in water, it is in a hypotonic solution. This means that the concentration of solutes inside the plant cell is higher than that in the surrounding water.

**Hint**: Recall the concept of hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions and how they affect cells.

2. **Osmosis Process**: Due to osmosis, water will move from the area of lower solute concentration (the surrounding water) to the area of higher solute concentration (inside the plant cell).

**Hint**: Remember that osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

3. **Cell Wall Role**: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that surrounds the plasma membrane. This structure provides support and prevents the cell from bursting when it takes in water.

**Hint**: Think about the structure of plant cells and the function of the cell wall in maintaining cell integrity.

4. **Result of Water Intake**: As water enters the plant cell, it will swell. However, the cell wall will exert pressure against the cell membrane, leading to a state known as turgor pressure. This pressure helps the plant maintain its structure and firmness.

**Hint**: Consider what happens to a balloon when it is filled with water – it expands but does not burst due to its elastic properties.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, when a plant cell is placed in water, it will swell up and become turgid, but it will not burst due to the protective nature of the cell wall.

**Final Answer**: The correct option is **A. swell up and become turgid**.