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

Here's the explanation:

1. Understanding Osmosis:
Osmosis is the natural movement of water molecules from a region of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to a region of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration) through a semi-permeable membrane. This process aims to equalize water concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

2. Reverse Osmosis:
Reverse osmosis is the opposite process where water is forced to move from an area of lower water concentration to higher water concentration, requiring the application of external pressure.

3. Analyzing the Mango Scenario:
When an unripe mango is placed in a concentrated salt solution:

• The salt solution has a lower water concentration (higher solute concentration) than the mango's interior
• Water naturally moves out of the mango (higher water concentration) into the salt solution (lower water concentration)
• This water loss causes the mango to shrivel

4. Process Identification:
Since this involves the natural movement of water from high to low concentration areas without external pressure, it is regular osmosis, not reverse osmosis.

Conclusion:
The correct explanation is that the mango loses water due to osmosis.

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