Water moves into Cell X in pure water, causing swelling and moves out of Cell Y in salt solution, causing shrinking. The correct explanation is option (iii).
Two similar animal cells are placed in two different solutions: Cell X is placed in pure water. Cell Y is placed in a concentrated salt solution. Cells are observed after some time. Cell X swells and Cell Y shrinks. Which statement provides the correct explanation for the above observations? (i) Salt molecules moved into Cell Y, causing it to shrink. (ii) Water moved into Cell X and more water moved out of Cell Y than the salt solution entered in it. (iii) Water moved into Cell X and moved out of Cell Y through the cell membrane. (iv) Solute movement caused osmosis in both cells.
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In pure water, Cell X gains water through osmosis and swells. In concentrated salt solution, Cell Y loses water and shrinks. This occurs because water moves across the cell membrane from higher to lower water concentration. The correct explanation is option (iii): water moves into Cell X and out of Cell Y through the cell membrane.
For more NCERT Solutions of Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 2 Cell: The Building Block of Life (2026-27)
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