Question

An unripe mango placed in a concentrated salt solution to prepare pickle, shrivels because __________

• A. it gains water due to osmosis
• B. it loses water due to reverse osmosis
• C. it gains water due to reverse osmosis
• D. it loses water due to osmosis

Hint:

Osmosis involves the movement of water from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Explanation:

1. Osmosis Defined:
Osmosis is the passive migration of water molecules from an area with a higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to an area with a lower water concentration (higher solute concentration) across a semi-permeable membrane. The objective is to balance water concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

2. Reverse Osmosis Explained:
Reverse osmosis is the inverse process where external pressure is applied to compel water movement from a region of lower water concentration to a region of higher water concentration.

3. Mango Scenario Analysis:
When an unripe mango is submerged in a concentrated salt solution:

• The salt solution exhibits a lower water concentration (higher solute concentration) compared to the mango's internal environment.
• Water naturally exits the mango (higher water concentration) and enters the salt solution (lower water concentration).
• This depletion of water causes the mango to shrink.

4. Process Identification:
As this process involves the natural flow of water from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration without external force, it is classified as standard osmosis, not reverse osmosis.

Conclusion:
The accurate explanation is that the mango dehydrates via osmosis.

Final Answer:
The correct selection is (D) it loses water due to osmosis.