Question

using a microscope, a student observes a thin layer of cells from an onion. the student then places the cells into a petri dish with a hypotonic solution of distilled water. distilled water contains very few solutes, much less than the onion cells. based on this information, what changes in the onion cells is the student most likely to see during his second observation? (1 point)

the cells appear to have shriveled due to water passively moving across the cell membrane out of the cell

the cells appear to have shriveled due to water actively transporting across the cell membrane into the cell

the cells appear to have swollen due to water passively moving across the cell membrane into the cell

the cells appear to have swollen due to water actively transporting across the cell membrane out of the cell

Explanation:

In a hypotonic solution, water moves from an area of low solute concentration (distilled water) to an area of high solute concentration (onion cells) by osmosis, which is a passive process. This causes the cells to swell.

Answer:

The cells appear to have swollen due to water passively moving across the cell membrane into the cell.