Students are observing both plant and animal cells when placed in a solution. The results of the students' observations are recorded in the table as shown below.

Question

Based on the observations in the table, which of the following is the BEST question that could be answered from these results?

Question 18 options:

Does a cell wall prevent the plant cell from bursting in a hypotonic solution?

Does an animal cell shrivel when it is placed in a hypotonic solution?

Does a cell wall prevent the plant cell from bursting in a hypertonic solution?

Does an animal cell burst when it is placed in a hypertonic solution?

Answer 1

The best question that could be answered from the observations of plant and animal cells in a solution is:

Does a cell wall prevent the plant cell from bursting in a hypotonic solution?

This question directly relates to how the presence of a cell wall affects the osmotic behavior of plant cells compared to animal cells, particularly under hypotonic conditions where water enters the cells. The observations would likely provide insights into whether the cell wall provides structural support that prevents the plant cell from bursting due to increased internal pressure from water uptake.