In plasmolysis, a plant cell

Options

A. Swells up
B. Bursts
C. Becomes flaccid
D. Becomes turgid

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Plasmolysis**: Plasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.

2. **Water Movement**: Due to osmosis, water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the cell) to an area of higher solute concentration (the hypertonic solution outside the cell). This movement results in the loss of water from the cell.

3. **Effect on the Cell**: As water leaves the cell, the cytoplasm (or protoplast) begins to shrink away from the cell wall. This contraction of the cytoplasm is what we refer to as plasmolysis.

4. **Cell State**: When the cytoplasm shrinks and pulls away from the cell wall, the cell becomes flaccid. A flaccid cell is one that has lost turgor pressure due to water loss.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, in plasmolysis, a plant cell does not swell up, burst, or become turgid. Instead, it becomes flaccid due to the loss of water.

**Final Answer**: In plasmolysis, a plant cell becomes flaccid.

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