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Matric potential arises from water binding to which kind of component?
ASoluble hydrophilic solutes in the cytoplasm
BSoluble hydrophobic lipids of the membranes
CInsoluble hydrophilic molecules of the cell wall
DInsoluble hydrophobic waxes of the leaf cuticle
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Insoluble hydrophilic molecules of the cell wall
1. Matric potential resembles solute potential because both tie up energy in hydrogen bonds between water and something else.
2. In solute potential that something else is soluble, hydrophilic solute molecules.
3. In matric potential the components are insoluble, hydrophilic molecules of the plant cell wall.
4. Cellulose in the wall is hydrophilic and provides a matrix for the adhesion of water, which gives the term its name.
5. Matric potential is very large and negative in dry tissues such as seeds, and goes to zero as the seed takes up water.
6. Naming a soluble solute confuses matric potential with solute potential, which is the trap in the first option.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 30 "Plant Form and Physiology", section 30.5 Transport of Water and Solutes in Plants_
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