# A gardener adds a large amount of salt fertiliser to the soil around a healthy plant. The following day, the plant shows signs of wilting. Explain why the plant wilts after salt is added to the soil.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 8.2 Water uptake · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Adding salt to the soil lowers the water potential of the soil (makes the soil solution more concentrated)
2. Water moves out of the root hair cells into the soil by osmosis (water moves down a water potential gradient)
3. Less water is taken up into the plant / water uptake by roots decreases
4. Cells lose water and turgor pressure decreases, causing wilting

## Key terms

- [wilting](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/wilting)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-gardener-adds-a-large-amount-fbcbe6d8) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.