Verified Solution Biology Cell: The Unit of Life

If a bacterium lacks a cell wall and is placed in a hypotonic solution, what would be the most likely consequence?

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Solution ✔ Verified
  • APlasmolysis due to water loss.
  • BSwelling and eventual lysis due to water influx.
  • CIncreased turgor pressure, enhancing cell rigidity.
  • DActive transport of water out of the cell to maintain homeostasis.
Explanation

Without a rigid cell wall to counteract osmotic pressure, a bacterium placed in a hypotonic solution would experience an influx of water, causing it to swell and eventually burst (lysis).

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