2 Biology X

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Q.2. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:
Q.1. Name the following: (i) Absorption of water in plants
i) The process in which water takes place through the roots by
molecules diffuse from the region the process of . .
of higher concentration to a region (ii) Osmosis is the diffusion of water
of lower concentration through across a . . . . . .. membrane.
plasma membrane. (iii) The upward movement of water
(ii) The term given to the osmosis along with the mineral salts
in which water from living cells
dissolved in it is called . . .
diffuses out.
(iv) The pressure by which the cortical
(iii) Shrinkage of cytoplasm towards
cells of the root force water into
the centre of the cell if it is placed
the xylem is called . .
in a concentrated solution of
sugar. (u) In tall trees ascent of sap takes
(iv) The process of movement of the place by *********

molecules of a substance from a (ui) The diffusion of a ...

region of higher concentration to across a semipermeable membrane
a region of lower concentration. is known as osmosis.
(w) The upward movement of water
(vii) ******** is the state of a cell
and minerals from roots to leaves
in which the cell wall is rigid
and other parts of plant.
and stretched by the increase in
(vi) The pressure that can be developed
volume of vacuole by absorption
in a solution when the solution is
of water
separated from pure solvent by a
semipermeable membrane.
(vii) The condition opposite to turgid is
called .
(vii) The pressure that is exerted on
the cell wall by the fluid contents (ix) Absorption of water by the root is
of the cell. by means of . .

(viii) Reverse of plasmolysis. (x) Water rises in the stem through

(ix) The tissue which conducts

manufactured food from leaves to Ans. )osmosis
other parts of a plant. (ii) semipermeable
(x) A solution whose concentration is (iüi) ascent of sap
lower than that of the cell sap. (iv) root pressure
Ans. (i) Osmosis (ii) Exosmosis
(v) transpiration pull
(ii) Plasmolysis (iu) Diffusion
(vi) solvent (vii) Turgidity
(u) Ascent of sap (viii) flaccid (ix) root hairs
(vi) Osmotic pressure (x) xylem.
(vii) Turgor pressure Q.3. Mention whether the following
(viii) Deplasmolysis statements are true or false:
(ix) Phloem (i) Amount of solutes and external
(x) Hypotonic solution. pressure affect water potential.
 Absorption by Roots 29
Turgidity or flaccidity is because known as osmosis. (solvent/
i)
of water contents of cells. solute/solution)
plant membranes ) The pressure by which the cortical
(iit) Al
are

semipermeable. cells of the root force water into

water in vertical
xylem is called ...
Movement of
**********

iv)
(turgor pressurel root pressure/
direction is called ascent of sap.
absorption)
(u) Endosmosis is not observed in all (vi) Shrinkage of protoplasm is
cells. called.. (plasmolysis/
(vi) Root hair are thin, delicate deplasmolysis/incipient
prolongations of cortex. plasmolysis)
wall acts permeable (vii) Due to turgidity guard cell
(vii) Cell as a
.. (more
membrane. becomes.
concave/more convex/flat) on the
(viit) When cell is placed in a solution
outside.
of higher concentration water
(viii) The plasmalemma of root hair
diffuses out of the cell.
IS .. .****°' (permeable/
(ix) The rate of diffusion of gasesis impermeable/semipermeable)
faster than liquids or solids.
(ix) The root cap acts a s a
The root hair is an extension of . (conductive tissue/
(x)
root cells. protective tissue/mechanical

i) True (ii) True tissue)

Ans.
(ax) The loss of water in the formn
(iil) False (iv) True
of droplets through leaves of
(u) False (vi) False an intact plant is termed as
(vii) True (vii) True . (bleeding/guttation/
(ix) True (x) True. transpiration)
Ans. ) isotonic
Q4. Complete the following statements by
choosing the correct alternatives out of (i) transpiration pull
those given within brackets: (iii) root hairs (iv) solvent

The solution which has the (U) root pressure

)
same concentration of dissolved (vi) plasmolysis
particles as inside the cell is (vii) more convex

called. (hypotonic (viii) semipermeable

hypertonic/isotonic) (ix) protective tissue
ii) In tall trees, the ascent of (x) guttation.
sap takes place by Q.5. Differentiate between the following
(turgor pressure/transpiration
pairs:
puldiffusion)
(i) Diffusion and Osmosis
(ii) Absorption of water by the roots
(ii) Osmotic pressure and Turgoor
is by means of . . . .(root
pressure
hairs/stem/xylem)
(ii) Plasmolysis and Deplasmolysis
(iv) The diffusion of particles of
(iv) Turgid and Flaccid
.. across the
8emipermeable membrane is (v) Endosmosis and Exosmosis.
 Absorption by Roots 331
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS When both internal and external
What is osmosis? solutions reach equal concentration
q1.
S Osmosis is the process in which water and further entry of water into the cell
molecules diffuse from the region of does not occur.
higher concentration to the region Q.8. Name two substances which enter the
of lower concentration through a root through the root hair.
semipermeable membrane. Ans. 1. Water
What is exosmosis?
Q2. 2. Soluble mineral ions from the soil.
Ans. When a cell is placed in a concentratedd
Q.9. Give one example of osmosis occurring
solution (99%), the cytoplasm shrinks.
in the human body and a green leaf.
This is due to the diffusion of water
from the cell to the outside, and is Ans. 1. In human body: Movement of
known as exosmosis. water into the blood plasma from
the body fluid.
93. What is endosmosis?
2. In a green leaf: Movement of
Ans. Endosmosis is a process of osmosis in
water from the leaf veins into the
which water enters in living cells from
mesophyll cels.
a hypotonic solution.
Q.10. What is wall pressure?
Q4. What is turgor pressure?
Ans. The upward movement of water and Ans. When the protoplasm is pressed against
minerals from roots to leaves and other the cell wall due to turgor pressure,
the cell wall also exerts an equal and
parts of a plant is termed as turgor
pressure (ascent of sap). opposite pressure. The pressure which
is developed from the cell wall is called
Q.5. What is turgidity and flaccidity?
wall pressure.
Ans. A fully distended cell due to absorption
of water is called a turgid cell and this Q.11. What is flaccid condition of the cell?
condition is described as turgidity. Ans. When cell is plasmolysed, it loses its
turgidity. Due to this, the cell loses its
A cell which is no more turgid is called
shape and shrinks, such a shrunken
flaccid and its condition is described as
condition of the cell is said to be flaccid.
flaccidity.
Q.6. What is total Q.12. Define ascent of sap.
plasmolysis?
Ans. When water from a cell is removed Ans. The process by which water absorbed by
completely out of the cell due to the root is carried to the aerial parts of
exosmosis, the protoplasm shrinks to the plant is called translocation of water
the maximum. The condition of the cell or ascent of sap.
in which no more shrinkage is possible Q.13. Define diffusion.
is known total plasmolysis.
as
Ans. Diffusion is defined the movement
as
Q7. Under what osmotic conditions, water
of solutes throughout the solvent from
does not enter into a cell?
their higher concentration to a lower
Ans. concentration. Gases also diffuse due to
When the turgor pressure becomes
equal to wall pressure. their random movement of molecules.
30 BiologyX
Ans.

) Diffusion Diffusion
Diffusion is the movement of molecules of Osmosis is a process in which the water
a substance (solute or solvent, gas, liquid molecules (solvent) moves through a
or solid) from the region of their higher semipermeable membrane from a region
concentration to the region of their lower of their higher concentration to the region
concentration. of their lower concentration.

(ii) Osmotic pressure Turgor pressure

The pressure by which the water molecules In a turgid cell, the pressure of the cell
tend to cross the semipermeable membrane contents on the cell wall is called
is called the osmotic pressure.
turgor pressure.
(ui) Plasmolysis Deplasmolysis
When a cell is placed in hypertonic When a plasmolysed cell is placed in
solution, water begins to pass out hypotonic solution or pure water, endo-
of the cell by osmosis with a conse- smosis takes place, as a result of which
quent shrinkage of the protoplasm. water is reabsorbed by the protoplast of the
This phenomenon is called plasmo- cell and it regains its original position.
lysis. This phenomenon is known as
deplasmolysis.
iv) Turgid Flaccid
When a cell reaches a state when it cannot The cell in the state of plasmolysis is said
accommodate any water, i.e., it is fully
more to be flaccid.
distended, it is called turgid.

(u) Endosmosis Exosmosis

The increased diffusion of a solvent across The outward diffusion of a solvent across
a semipermeable membrane is called a semipermeable membrane is called
endosmosis. It occurs when a cell is exosmosis. It occurs when cell is
a placed
placed in a hypotonie solution. in a hypertonic solution.

Q.6. Select the odd one out of the following: (u) Soil water, xylem, osmosis, root
i) Impermeable, permeable, semi- hair.
permeable, selective permeable. Ans. ) Impermeable
(ii) Plasmolysis, exosmosiS, (ii) Turgidity
endosmosis, turgidity. (il) Imbibition
(ii) Osmosis, ascent of sap, diffusion,
(iv) Flaccid
imbibition.
(iv) Hypotonic solution, turgid, (v) Xylem.
endosmosis, flaccid.
 Absorption by Roots 333
D i f f e r e n t i a t e
between hypotonic solution Q.28. What is a semipermeable membrane
4. and hypertonic solution.
Ans. It is a membrane which allows the
solution the solute solvent to pass through it but not the
In hypotonic
is lower than that of cell solute.
concentration
saD but
in hypertonic solution the solute
than that of the Q.29. What is isotonic solution?
concentration is higher
Ans. An external solution having the same
cell sap.
solute concentration as that of cell sap
0smotic gradient?
What is
Q.25. is known as isotonic 8olution.
When the root hair absorb water, their
Ans
s.
become more and Q.30. What arethe factors which influence
cells tend to
more

in the turgidity of cells?

turgid. As the turgor pressure rises
from root hair cell Ans. 1. Adequate supply of water.
them, water passes
cortical cell in contact with
to the first 2. Semipermeable membrane.
the water
it. This cell, in turn, passes Presence of osmotically active
cell until it reaches 3.
into the next cortical substance in the cell.
the xylem. Thus, an osmotic gradient
which is the difference in concentration Q.31. What is the significance of osmosis?
between two solutions is
established
Ans. 1. Osmosis regulates the opening and
across the cortical cells. closing of stomata in plants.
What is imbibition?
Q.26. 2. Osmosis maintains osmotic balance
which the
Ans. It is the phenomenon by (osmoregulation) in animal cells.
colloidal
living or dead cells containing 3. Osmosis important role in
plays an
absorb water by surface
particles absorption ofwater by plants from the
attraction.
soil.
Q.27. What are the main characteristics of
Q.32. What is suction pressure?
diffusion?
Ans. The net force with which the water
Ans. The main characteristics of diffusion
is drawn into a cell is called suction
are
pressure.
(i) Diffusion always takes place from
Q.33. What is solvent?
a region of higher concentration to a

a region of lower concentration.

Ans. A liquid in which another substance is
(i) The rate of diffusion depends dissolved to form solution is called a
and
upon the size, temperature solvent.
contraction of its molecules.
Q.34. What is capillarity?
(ii) The rate and direction of diffusion beaker
Ans. When a narrow tube is placed in a
molecules are independent by the
containing water, the level of water
molecules of other substances is
rises in the tube. This phenomenon
present.
known as capillarity.
 32 Biologyx
of diffusion? water by transpiration and may die
Q.14. What is the importance due
to lack of water.
Ans. 1. Exchange of gases during photo-
synthesis and respiration is a Q.19. Differentiate between plasmolysis and
diffusion process. deplasmolysis.
2. Osmosis is the diffusion process Ans. Plasmolysis

where only solvent is allowed 1. It takes place when a plant cell is

to diffuse by preventing the kept in hypertonic solution.
movement of solute particles. 2. The protoplasm of the cell shrinks
3. It spreads molecules and ions away from the cell wall.
throughout the protoplast. 3 It results in the flaccid condition
of the cells and the plant.
4. It keeps plant cell walls moist.

Q.15. Can osmosis be regarded as diffusion? Deplasmolysis

1. It takes place when plasmolysed
Give reason.
cell is kept in hypotonic solution.
Ans. Yes, water diffuses from a weaker
2. The protoplasmof the cell swells
solution (containing more water and
up and touches the cell wall
less solute) into stronger solution
3. It results in the turgid condition
(containing less water and more solute)
of the cells and the plant.
per unit volume. So, it is a0 kind of
diffusion occurring through a semi- Q.20. Mention some importance of water.
permeable membrane. Ans. 1. It is a universal solvent.

Q.16. What is root pressure? 2. It is a medium of transport for all

kinds of materials.
Ans. The force causing the flow of sap from
3. It is useful as a lubricant and
lower level of the stem of a plant to the
higher level is known as root pressure.
helps in transport of gases like O,
and CO, during respiration.
Q.17. Bacteria and fungi do not grow in pickle,
4. It helps in maintenance of
jam and jelly, why?
turgidity of cells.
Ans. Jam, jellies and pickles are kept in Q.21. Explain, why the raisins swell up in
hypertonic solution of sugar or salt in water.
which plasmolysis of bacteria and fungi
Ans. The dried grapes form raisins, when
takes place. This kills the bacteria and
these are kept in water which is
fungi and hence, pickles, jam and jellies
hypotonic, it results in endosmosis and
are preserved properly.
thus swell up.
Q.18. Why is it better to transplant seedlings Q.22. Which part of the root hair acts as semi-
in the evening?
permeable membrane?
Ans. It is better to transplant seedlings in
Ans. Cell membrane or
plasmalemma.
the evening because in the evening, the
Q.23. What is incipient plasmolysis?
stomata are closed. So, there will be no
loss of water from the plant body and it Ans. The initial stage of plasmolysis during
will get sufficient time to fix its roots in which the protoplasm shrinks away
the soil. But in the morning, it will lose from the cell wall is known as incipitent
plasmolysis.
 34 Biology X
DIAGRAM BASED QUESTIONS
Q.1. Given below is the diagram of an
answer the
experiment just at start. Study the diagram
questions that follow: carefully:and

10% sucrose
solution Sucrose
molecules 5%
sucrose
solution

Water
molecules

Semipermeable
membrane

(i)What phenomenon is intended to Q.2. The apparatus given below is

be shown by this a set up
experiment? of an
experiment. After sometime the
(ii) Which limb of the U-tube
contains level of the liquid in the vertical section
more concentrated sucrose?
increased.
Solution - A or B
() What process does the
iii) Why have the two kinds of experiment
demonstrate?
molecules been shown in different (ii) Name two liquids that could
sizes? be
used in this
iv) experiment.
Why is the membrane separating ii) Why did the level of the
the two solutions labelled as semi liquid in
the vertical tube rise?
permeable membrane? (iv) Explain, how the
(v)Which limb of the U-tube (A or B) process named
in (i) affects a
is functionally protozoan such as
comparable to the Amoeba.
root hair of a plant?
(v) Give one example in
Ans. (i)
plants in
Osmosis (diffusion through semi- which the above process
permeable membrane).
occurs
What is the advantage of this to
(ii) Limb A of the U-tube contains the plant?
more concentrated sugar solution.
iii) To represent solute and solvent
molecules.
Thistle
(iv) Semipermeable membrane allows funnel

only solvent or water to go through Stand

it. It does not permit the solute
Beaker
particles across it. Pure water
() LimbA of the U-tube is functionally E-wwE Sugar solution
comparable to the root hairs of a
plant.
Goat's bladder
 Absorption by Roots 35

) Osmosis. (it) Solvent molecules will pass

Ans. the membrane in both
(ii) Distilled water, and concentrated through
directions. Since solvent molecules
sugar solution.
are present on both the sides they
The rise of the liquid in the
(ii) will strike the semipermeable
vertical tube can only be due to
membrane and pass through the
the entry of water into it through
same.
the goat's bladder by means of the
process of osmosis. (iii) There is a net movement of
solvent molecules from the place
(iv) In Amoeba osmosis helps in of its higher chemical potential
maintaining water balance.
to the place of its lower chemical
(w) Root hairs. Root hairs absorb potential, i.e., from right to left
water from the soil by osmosis. figure
Q.4. The apparatus arranged in given
two
Q.3. The given figure represents signifies an important process.
solutions separated by a semipermeable (i) Name the process.
membrane. The large particles are the
in
the (ii) Where does this process occur
solute and the small particles are
plants?
solvent. Study the figure and answer
inside the
the following questions: (ii) What solution is placed
dialysis tubing?
Concentrated
of the
solution (iv) What happens to the level
solution in the capillary tube?
Dilute
in
solution (w) Define the process mentioned

0,
O00
Oop Q) above.

The capillary is pushed

into the dialysis tubing
09.0
until the solution

O.0 Oo reaches this level

Water

O,O Elastic
band
Semipermeable
membrane 5 mm
dialysis
(i) If the membrane is to behave as a tubing
semipermeable membrane, what

can be stated about the size of the Ans. (i) Osmosis.

pores? (ii) Root hair.

(ii) Will solvent molecules pass (iii) Sugar solution.

through the membrane-from
iv) The level of the liquid in the
from right to left, in
left to right, capillary tube rises.
neither directions?
(v) Osmosis may be defined as
there
(ii) By which direction will the process of movement of a

be a net movement of solvent solvent from a region of its higher

molecules? concentration to a region of its
Ans. (i) The pores must be smaller than lower concentration through the
the solute molecules but larger semipermeable membrane.
than the solvent molecules.
36 Biology X
Q.5. The figure given below is a diagrammatic Q.6. The diagram below represents plant a
representation of a part of the cross- cell after being placed in a sugar
section of the root in the root hair zone. (strong) solution. Study the diagram
Study the same and then answer the and answer the questions that follow:
questions that follow:
Protoplasm
Cell wall
O Plasma membrane
Strong sugar
solution

Large vacuole
Nucleus

(i) What is the state of the cell shown

() Name the parts indicated by in the diagram?
guidelines l' to 4'.
(i) Name the structure which acts as a
ii) Is the root hair cell unicellular or
multicellular?
selectively permeable membrane.
(i) Name the (iti) If the cell had been placed in
process responsible for
the entry of water molecules from distilled water instead of strong
the soil into sugar solution which feature
(iv) What
A,A,
and then
A would not have been present.
pressure is responsible for
the movement of water in the (iv) Ifthe cell in the diagram
direction indicated by arrows?
possessed
chloroplast where would there be
(v) How is this pressure set present?
up?
Ans. (i) 1. Vacuole () Name any one feature of this

2. Soil particles plant cell which is not present in

animal cells.
3. Xylem vessel
Ans. () Flaccid condition.
4. Cortex cells.
ii) Plasma membrane.
(ii) Root hair is unicellular.
(iii) The shrunken protoplast would
(ii) Osmosis.
not have been
present.
(iv) Osmotic pressure.
(iv) The chloroplast would be present
(U) This pressure is set up due to in the shrunken protoplast.
difference in osmotie gradient. (w) The presence of cell wall.
 Chapterwise ICSE
Solved Papers Biology (Class X

molecules
term for a membrane
which allows the passage of
4. Give the biological 2012
selectively. 2012, 2007
osmosis.
5. Briefly explain the term increase in
in water become firm and
6. Give why potato cubes when placed
reason
2011
size.
2010
7. Explain the term turgidity.
2010, 2002
8. the term diffusion.
Explain of higher
the process of movement of molecules
froma region
9. Identify and name
2009
region of lower
concentration.
concentration to a
the key word in the space
10. Rewrite the completed explanation by inserting
indicated by '^'.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecule from its region of higher
membrane. 2008
concentration through a 'N'
concentration to its region of lower
different
11. Give the biological term of the process of mixing of two
2008
substances/molecules.

that of cell sap. 2007

12. Name a solution whose concentration is greater than
13. Give reason
added to the soil. 2007
Plants begin to die when excess of soluble fertilisers are

2006
14. Define hypotonic solution. water. 2005
Give the biological why marine
reason fish burst when thrown under tap
15.
16. Give biological reason for the following
2004
salt on grass growing in a lawn, the grass is killed.
On sprinkling common 2003
one example.
17. Define the term active transport giving
18. Give one reason for the following
2003
Wilted lettuce leaves if kept in cold water become crisp.
bursts because of
2002
19. Marine fish when thrown under tap water
(b) Exosmosis
a) Endosmosis
c) Diffusion d) Plasmolysis
2001
hair cell.
20. by which water enters into root
Mention the process

21. Answer the following briefly.

fertilised soil are often found to wilt if the soil is not adequately
Plants growing in 2000
watered, why?
is filled
22. The space between the cell
wall and plasma membrane in plasmolysed cell 2000
with
(6) hypotonic solution
(a isotonic solution
c) hypertonic solution dwater
2000

23. Name the pressure exerted by cell contents on a plant cell wall.

2 Marks Questions
24. Complete the following
word in the space indicated
Rewrite the sentence by inserting the correct
due to
iWooden doors swell up in rainy season wall.
2011
contraction of the cytoplasm from the cell
) is the phenomenon of
in our
the term Give one application of this phenomenon
plasmolysis.
25. Explain 2005

daily lives.
 LS
ROU
Absorption by

4 Marks Question one containing waler,

ihe

in two containers,
cm" in size w e r e placed
cubes
Potato cubes I 24 hours when the
26.
26. c o n c e n t r a t e d sugar
solution. After about increased in
other containing found to be firm and had
in water w e r e found
were
examined, those placed concentrated sugar
solution were
in
millimetres. Those placed information to
a n s w e r the
size by a few above
in size. Use the
and had decreased
to be soft w e r e placed
questions that follow cubes which
in size of the potato
firmness and increase
Account for the
) cubes which
w e r e placed

in water. the potato

softness and
decrease in size of
A c c o u n t for the 2001
(i) solution. in this experiment.
in the sugar investigated
process being
Name and define the physical
(iii)
Diagram Based Questions potato
cubes and
taken 3
of osmosis has in
After 24 hours,
candidate in order to study the 3
process
different
solutions.
A the potato
27.
27.
in 3 different
beakers containing
in the second beaker
of
put them cube i n c r e a s e d
in size, in the size
n o change
beaker the potato beaker there
w a s

the first the third

experiment.
size and in result of the
same

decreased in shows the

cube diagram
cube. The following
the potato

(c)
(b) S i z e r e m a i n s samne

(a) Size decreased

b and c.
in beakers, a,
Size increased
used in
solutions the reason

s a m e . Explain
terms of the remains the
technical
cube
Give the of
(i) of the potato absorption
beaker c
the size
hairs which helps in
(i In of r o o t
brief. feature of the cell sap
Write the specific 2014
(ii) their
permeability?

water. differ in
n s m o s i s ?

ll
m e m b r a n e

hulh This cell was

L8

29. Given alongside is the diagram of cell seen a

microscope after been placed in solution. under the as

() What is the technical

a
tern used for the
given? state/condition of the
cell
(i) Give the technical term for the
(ii) Name the parts numbered A to solution in which the cell was
io) Is the cell given in D. placed. D
plant cell or an animal
cell? Give two reasons in
support of your answer as evident from the
() What would you do to this cell back todiagram.
30. The
bring its
original condition? 2011
diagram alongside represents layer of a
showing fully grown root
a
hair. Study the epidermal cells
the questions that follow. diagram and answer
(i) Name the parts labelled A, B, C and D.
(i The root hair cell is in
turgid a
state. Name and
process that caused this state. explain the
(it) Mention one distinct difference between the
and B. parts labelled A
iv) Draw a
diagram of the above root hair cell as it would appear when a
solution of fertilisers is added near it. concentrated
2011
31. Given alongside is the
diagram of an
apparatus set-up to
study very important physiological
a

() Name the process being studied. process.

Thistle funnel .

(i) Explain the process.

(ii) What change would you observe in the thistle funnel
containing sugar solution after about 10 minutes?
(iv) Is sugar solution
hypertonic or hypotonic? Water
() Name the part of the plant cell which is
represented
by the
sugar solution. Beaker
(vi) Explain why much salt is added to pickles. 2010
32. Given below are diagrams of
plant cells as seen under the microscope after having
been placed in two different solutions

Cell wall

runken
protoplast
Plasma
membrane

a) (b)
(i) What is the technical term for the condition of
a) Cell (a) (b) Cell (b)?
i From the solutions given in brackets (water, strong sugar solution, 1% salt solution)
name the solution into which
(a) Cell (a) was placed
(b) Cell (b) was placed before being viewed under the microscope
(in) Under what conditions in the soil will root hair cell resemble
(a) Cell (a) (b) Cell(b)?
(iv) Name the pressure responsible for the movement of water from the root hair cell to
the xylem of the root. How is it set-up?
() Name the pressure that helps in the movement of water up the xylem of the root. 2005
 1. Turgor pressure 1s the pressure exerted by
Answers 13. Fertilisers along with soil water acts as a
the protoplasm against the cell wall. hypertonic solution.
While, wall pressure is the back pressure This leads to exosmosis, i.e. movement of
exerted by the cell wall on the water from plant. Thus, the plants begin to
protoplasm. die.
2 Wooden frames of doors get jammed 14. Hypotonic solution is the solution that has
during monsoon season due to the process lower solute concentration than inside the
of imbibition.
cell sap.
In this process, water is adsorbed
the to
15. Marine fish burst when thrown under
surface of hydrophilic colloids.
water because their cells exist best in
tap
As wood has a strong affinity for water
(hydrophilic), they adsorb or imbibe water hypertonic solution or salty water. When
put in tap water or hypotonic solution
or moisture from their surroundings and
their cell show endosmosis and thus swells
get swelled up.
and bursts.
3. Imbibition is the phenomenon by which
16. Sprinkling salt makes soil hypertonic,
living or dead plant cells or cell material
hence grass loss water due to exosmosis
adsorb water by surface attraction.
and thus get killed.
4. Plasma membrane is selectively 17. Active transportis the movement of
permeable membrane which allows the
passage of molecules selectively.
molecules (or ions) from lower
concentration to higher concentration
5. Osmosis is the process of movement of against a concentration gradient using
water molecules from a region of their energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine
higher concentration to a region of lower Triphosphate), e. g. uptake of mineral ions
concentration through a semi-permeable into root cells.
membrane. 18. Leaves of wilted lettuce are flaccid in
6. Potato cubes when placed in water nature due to the loss of water. When these
become firm and increases in size. This leaves are kept in cold water, the water
happens because water acts as a hypotonic enters the cell making them turgid.
medium, thus water enters into potato Hence, they become crisp.
cells due to endosmosis making them firm 19. (a) Endosmosis
and larger in size (turgid). 20. Osmosis is the process by which water
7. Turgidity is the condition of a cell in which enters into root hair cell.
it become distended or bulged due to the
21. If the soil is fertilised and not well watered,
entry of water by endosmosis.
the concentration of the soil solution will
8. Diffusion is the process of movement of be very high and water begins to move
molecules from a
region of higher from the root hair cells to soil due to
concentration to a region of their lower exosmosis. If this process continues for a
concentration. long time plasmolysis takes place and
9. The process is diffusion. leads to wilting of plants.

T0. Osmosis is the movement of water 22. (c) Hypertonic solution.

molecules from its region of higher 23. Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted
concentration to its region of lower by cell contents on a plant cell wall.
concentration through a semi-permeable 24. () Wooden doors swell
membrane. up in rainy season
due to imbibition.
.Diffusion is the biological term for the (ii Plasmolysis is the phenomenon of
process of mixing of two different contraction of the cytoplasm from the
substances/molecules. cell wall.
12. A solution whose
concentration is gTeater 25. (a) Refer to ans. 24. (i).
than that of cell sap is known as
(b) Application of plasmolysis-salt is added
hypertonic solution. to pickles to preserve them for
longer
duration.
 Bou

Solved Papers
Chapterwise ICSE
30
is plasmoly sed in
above

were fim and 29. () Cell given

26. ( The cubes of potato nature.
the hvpertonie
nic
ot entry of
in

increased in size
because
Cell was placed
due to endosmosis. (
water into the cell solution.
B-Chloroplast

The cubes that were placed in sugar -

Nucleus
i
decreased in size (in Hvpertonic solution
Vacuole D
-

solution were soft and C- of

to outside cell because
due to movement of water
irCellgiven is plant wall.
from the cell, i.e.
exosmosis. of cell
osmosis. It is
the (a presence

is clearly
seen in the
) The process is called their b chloroplast
of
water from a region
passage of cytoplasm.
there.
concentration to a region of is not present
higher through a
(c)
c e n t r o s o m e

back to its
concentration returned
their lower be
The cell
can
semi-permeable membrane. () condition, if it will be placed in
solution used
original medium or pure
water for
terms of the hvpotonic
21. ( The technical a

(a. b) and (c)

are
some tme.
in beakers
a Hypotonic solution can be labelled as
Different parts
30. (
b Hypertonic solution
A-Cell wall ofroot hair hair
c)Isotonicsolution B-Cell
membrane of root
the
concentration
of water
beaker c,
as the C-Cytoplasm
In in solution

and solute
is s a m e osmosis
which no D-Nucleus
cube. Due hypotonic, thus
to
potato cube medium is
size of potato
occurs
and the i T h e soil due to which the
endosmosis
will occur
remains same.

of cell sap is higher hair cell urns turgid.

concentration root
The to soil
i hair as compared B Cell membrane)
in the root takes place A (Cell wal)
water. Thus,
endosmosis
(i
facilitating absorption ofwater. t IS
is freely
diffusion of sem-permeable
of permeable.
Osmosis is a process
(i) from higher
water
molecules
concentration of root hair cell when a

lower Representation
concentration to
membrane.
(i concentrated
solution of fertilisers is
semi-permeable
through a while cell added is given
below

() Cell wall is freely permeable,

membrane is semi-permeable.

Nucleus
8.
Space filled
with hypertonic Shrunken Small
vacuole
solution that protoplasm
diffuses through
the cell wall
studied
Osmosis is the process being
31. ()
Cytoplasmic
contents form
through the following experiment.
a rounded mass (i) Refer to ans. 27 (iv).
the sugar
After about 10 minutes,
(ii) solution
used for the above in the thistle funnel will rise up.
(i The scientific term
change shown in figures plasmolysis. in
is nature
(io) Sugar solution is hypertonic
back to its original concentrated than water.
(i) To restore the cell as it is more

condition, it must be placed in Cell sap ofthe root hair.

solution after it
immediately
()
hypotonic Salt is added to pickles as it provides
gets plasmolysed. Di
scientilic term used for the
hypertonic medium due to which water
i The molecule moves out of the cell by the
f the cell as a result of the
recovery mechanism of plasmolysis.
step taken in (ii? above is This allows pickle to be preserved for
deplasmolysis.
long duration.
() Referto ans. 27 (t).
 Root is responsible for the
22. () The technical term for the condition (iv pressure
m o v e m e n t of water from the root hair cell
of cell (a) is turgid cell and for the
condition of cell (b) is plasmolysed to the xylem of the root.
to cell
cell or flaccid cell. This pressure is built up due to cell
Osmosis in the root tissues. As one turgid
(i) Cell (a) was placed in water solutioon
whereas, cell (b) was placed in cellpresses the next cell, the force of the
When the
strong sugar solution before being flow of water increases inward.
it enters
water reaches the xylem vessels,
viewed under the microscope. walls with
the Pores of their thick
(iit) The root hair cell will resemble cell
considerable force.
(a) in the condition when the field is Cell cell difference of osmotic pressure
over flooded. The root hair cell will () to
movement
in the
resemble cell (b) incase of excessive and turgor pressure helps
of water up the xylem of the root.
application of fertilisers in the fields.

Topic 2Absorption of Water and Minerals

over short
like diffusion, Osmosis, etc c a n only transport substances
The processes tissues.
the s a m e job is done by the vascular
distances. For long distance transport
in plants which are mainly
There aregenerally two types of vascular tissues
water, minerals and food.
responsible for transport of
These are as follows:
minerals from
responsible for the transport of water and
() Xylem This is mainly
roots to aerial parts
of the plant.
and inorganic
for the transport of organic
(ii Phloem This is mainly responsible
etc fron leaves to
other parts of the plant.
substances such as food,

Ascent of Sap
parts of the plant (such
as
the upper
lt is the upward movement
of water from roots to
It o c c u r s through the tracheary

leaves and other growing points)

by the stems.
elements of xylem. below:
Fath followed by water during transport given vessels.
Endodermis Passage cells Xylem
Root hair -> Cortex cells
>

Endodermis

Pericycle

Root hair

Water entering
root hair

Epidermis
 Previous Years'
Examination Questions
I Mark Questions
Rewrite the correct terms in the correct order so, as to be in a logical sequence.
Endodermis, cortex, soil water, xylem, root hair. 2013, 2010, 2008, 2006
2009
2. Explain the term root pressure.
3. Given below is a set of terms arranged in logical sequence, representing a process

or a function. Of these, one term is incorrect. Identify the incorrect term and

replace it with the correct termn.

2007
Soil water>root hair cells of cortex ->epidermis xylem.
4. Write the name of the organ that transports water from the soil to other parts of the
2007
plant.
the correct order so, as to be in
5. Given below is the set of terms, rewrite the terms in

logical sequence. 2004

Cortical cell, root hair, xylem, water veins.
6. Given below is the functional activity of a structure in the body of living organisms.
Name the structure responsible for the same.
Transports manufactured food from leaves to other parts of the plant. 2002

2 Marks Question
7. Name the following
(i) The tissue responsible for ascent of sap in plants.
of water molecule across the
(it) The pressure which is responsible for the movement

cortical cells of the roots.

2003

5 Marks Question
of water from the soil. Copy and
8. The following paragraph is related to absorption
the correct word from those given
complete the following paragraph by selecting
in the box. You may use the term only once.
cortical, endosmosis
exosmosis, hypertonic, osmosis, isotonic, hypotonic,
This is because the
Water enters the root hair from the soil by the process of...
solution in the soil is whereas the cell sap in the root hair cell is... The water
..,
.

then passes through the.. cells by cell to cell .. and reaches the xylem of the
2014
root.

Diagram Based Question

of
9. Given alongside is the diagrammatic representation
the
the transverse section of a part of a plant. Study
same and answer the questions
that follow
that is shown.
() Name the part of the plant
in the diagram. A
i) Label the parts A to F indicated FED B
Cand E.
(iit) Write the functions of parts 2005
 Answers

is
sequence
The correct logical xylem.
1. cortex,
endodermis,
the water and minerals
root hair, which pushes
Soil water,
cells of the
root
stem level is known a
the cortical c o n d u c t i o n of
water upto
generated by
2. The pressure root for upward
vessels of the
into the xylem
root pressure.

Incorrect
term Epidermis
3. C o r r e c t t e r m Endodermis

other parts of the plant.

water from soil to
4. Root hair transports
sequenceis
5. The correct logical
cortical cell, xylem,
veins.
Water, root hair, to other parts of
the plant.
manufactured food from leaves
6. Phloem transports

tissue is responsible
for ascent ofsap inplantswater molecules across
cortical cells of the
7. () Xylem the movement of
responsible for
(i) Root pressure is
roots. This is because the
the process
of e n d o s m o s i s . The
root
by
hair from the
soil
in the root
hair cell is hypertonic.
Water enters the the cell sap of
8. whereas reaches the xylem
solution in the soil
is hypotonic,
cell to cell osmosis and
cortical cells by
water then passes through
the root.
internal structure ofa
root.
the
shown in the figure is
9. (i) Part of the plant
can be
labelled as
i Different parts
A Root hair
B Epidermis
C - Cortex
D Endodermis

E Phloem
F- Xylem
are to
(ii) Function of different parts and also conduct water from epidermis
cortex store food
Part C(Cortex) The cells ofthe
the innertissues. of ne
made in leaves to storage organs
Part E (Phloem) Phloem transports organic food
plant.