Intact cells of two unknown cell types were placed into solutions with different concentrations of NaCl. Type I cells swelled and burst in the solution with the lowest concentration of NaCl. Type II cells swelled but did not burst in the solution with the lowest concentration of NaCl. Which of the following descriptions of cell type I and cell type II are most consistent with the data?

Cell Type I: Animal cell surrounded by a plasma membrane only.

Cell Type II: Plant cell surrounded by a plasma membrane and a cell wall.

Explanation:

Hello,

In this case, we must remember that animal cells are covered only by a plasma membrane, which is not enough to keep the cell from bursting as no limit for the inlet salt is established, causing it both to swell and burst. On the other hand, plant cells are covered by both a plasma membrane and a cell wall which contributive effect allow the inlet of the salt but prevent the cell to burst as the cell wall is rigid. In such a way, based on the described situation, one infers that the cell type I is an animal cell surrounded by a plasma membrane only the cell type II is a plant cell surrounded by a plasma membrane and a cell wall.

Best regards.