You are looking into the microscope at a cell that you placed into salty water. You were expecting the cell to shrivel up but it seems to have mostly held its shape. Is this cell a plant or an animal cell?

Question

plant cell
animal cell

Answer 1

The fact that the cell has mostly held its shape in salty water indicates that it is likely a plant cell. Plant cells have a protective cell wall that provides structural support and helps prevent the cell from collapsing in a hypertonic environment like salty water. Animal cells do not have a cell wall and are more likely to shrink and shrivel up in salty water.