Question

Recognize the figure and find out the correct statement.

1. The solution of which chamber has a lower water potential.
2. The solution of which chamber has a lower solute potential.
3. In which direction osmosis occurs?
4. Which chamber will have lower water potential at equilibrium?
   A.1-A,2-B,3-A to B,4-A
   B.1-B,2-A,3-A to B,4-same
   C.1-B,2-B,3-A to B,4-same
   D.1-A,2-A3-B to A,4-same

Answer 1

Potential represents free energy. Water molecules have rapid and constant kinetic energy, that's why they are in random motion both liquid and gaseous form. The water potential is the difference of free energy of water molecules in water and energy of water in any system. Due to the presence of solute in pure water, the magnitude by which water potential is reduced is known as solute potential.

Complete answer:
The net movement of a solvent across a differentially or semi-permeable membrane is known as osmosis. In osmosis, the movement of the solvent occurs due to the difference between the water potential on two sides. Until the water reaches the state of equilibrium, it will move from a region of high chemical potential to a region of low chemical potential.
1.Due to the presence of more solute, the solution of chamber B has lower water potential. As it contains more number of solute particles than A.
2.At the concentration of solute in the chamber, A is low, so the solution of chamber A has low solute potential.
3.Osmosis occurs from chamber A to chamber B. Because osmosis always occurs from the higher chemical potential to the region of lower chemical potential.
4.The water potential at each chamber is the same at equilibrium i.e. neither A nor B will have lower or higher water potential.

Hence the correct answer is OPTION(B)

Note: Under any pressure, the water potential of pure water at standard temperature, it is taken to be zero. During transpiration, Osmosis plays a vital role in stomatal movement.