A leaf distilled in salt water - Question. (1 Viewer)

[~shinigami~]

This is a question in my recent Biology assessment that just got me stumped and I'm just wondering what would've been the answer to it.

What differences are there between a leaf distilled in salt water and a leaf distilled in water when you look at them under a microscope?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Survivor39]

I think this question require an applied understanding of osmosis.

You will see enlarged (turgid) cells when a leaf is immersed in water, as water diffuse into cells. In contrast, you will see plasmolysed cells (the cell membrane shrinked away from the cell wall) in salt water because intracellular water moves out.

 

[Survivor39]

You may also comment on the fact that you will see enlarged vacuoles within plant cells for leaves that are suspended in water. A decrease in vacuole size occurs in salt water.

 

[~shinigami~]

Thank you so much for answering my query Survivor39.

Well, from looking at your answer, I'm getting no marks for that question because I didn't mention anything remotely close to your answer.