OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What can happen to animal cells in a solution with high water potential?

1. They become turgid and healthy

2. They can burst due to lack of a cell wall

3. They will shrivel and die

4. They will remain unchanged

The correct answer is: They can burst due to lack of a cell wall

In a solution with high water potential, animal cells can take in excess water due to osmosis, which occurs when water moves from an area of higher water potential (the solution) to an area of lower water potential (inside the cell). Since animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, they do not have structural support to withstand the increase in internal pressure. As water continues to enter the cell, it can lead to the cell swelling and, ultimately, bursting or lysing. This is especially notable in hypotonic solutions where the water potential outside the cell is significantly higher than inside. The other choices illustrate concepts that do not apply to animal cells in such conditions. For example, animal cells cannot become turgid like plant cells do because they do not have cell walls to provide that structure. Similarly, they can’t remain unchanged, nor would they shrivel and die immediately in a high water potential solution, as that would typically happen in hypertonic solutions instead. Thus, the correct understanding is focused on the potential for animal cells to burst in a high water potential environment.