# Explain why a plant cell that has been placed in a concentrated salt solution will eventually reach a state of plasmolysis.

> IB DP Biology Standard Level (2023 syllabus) — D2.3 Water potential · Explain · 4 marks

> A plant cell is transferred from distilled water into a concentrated sodium chloride solution.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The concentrated salt solution has a lower (more negative) water potential than the cell's cytoplasm/vacuole.
2. Water moves out of the cell by osmosis down the water potential gradient.
3. The vacuole (and cytoplasm) shrinks/loses volume as water is lost.
4. The plasma membrane/tonoplast pulls away from the cell wall, resulting in plasmolysis.

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for IB DP Biology Standard Level (2023 syllabus)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-plant-cell-that-c5ee5bba) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.