a slice of potato placed in distilled water becomes firm after several hours because:\n\nwater has passed…

a slice of potato placed in distilled water becomes firm after several hours because:\n\nwater has passed out of the potato cells causing the cells to shrink.\nsalt has passed into the potato cells.\ncellulose synthesis in the cell wall has been stimulated.\nwater has passed into the potato cells causing the cells to swell.

a slice of potato placed in distilled water becomes firm after several hours because:\n\nwater has passed out of the potato cells causing the cells to shrink.\nsalt has passed into the potato cells.\ncellulose synthesis in the cell wall has been stimulated.\nwater has passed into the potato cells causing the cells to swell.

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the tonicity of the environment

Distilled water is a hypotonic solution because it has a lower solute concentration than the cytoplasm of the potato cells.

Step2: Determine the direction of osmosis

Water moves from an area of high water potential (distilled water) to an area of low water potential (inside the potato cells) across the semi-permeable cell membrane.

Step3: Analyze the effect on cell structure

As water enters the cells, the vacuole increases in volume, pushing the cytoplasm against the rigid cell wall. This creates turgor pressure, making the cells turgid and the potato slice firm.

Answer:

water has passed into the potato cells causing the cells to swell.