Osmotic potential is depicted as

Options

A. `(-)`
B. `(+)`
C. `(X )`
D. `(div)`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Osmotic Potential:**
- Osmotic potential refers to the potential of water molecules to move from an area of lower solute concentration (hypotonic solution) to an area of higher solute concentration (hypertonic solution) across a semi-permeable membrane.

2. **Identifying Pure Water's Osmotic Potential:**
- Pure water is considered to have an osmotic potential of zero because it contains no solutes. This serves as the reference point for osmotic potential.

3. **Effect of Solutes on Osmotic Potential:**
- When solutes are added to water, the osmotic potential becomes negative. This is because the presence of solutes reduces the potential of water molecules to move freely, resulting in a decrease in osmotic potential.

4. **Conclusion on Representation:**
- Since pure water has an osmotic potential of zero and any solution with solutes has a negative osmotic potential, we conclude that osmotic potential is always represented by a negative sign.

5. **Final Answer:**
- Therefore, the correct depiction of osmotic potential is the **negative sign**.

---