2004 - JAMB Biology Past Questions and Answers - page 2

The setup involves a yam placed in a concentrated salt solution. Here's why the correct answer is D: * **Osmosis:** The yam's cells contain water. Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration (inside the yam) to a region of low water concentration (the salt solution), i.e., from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution. * **Concentration Gradient:** The salt solution is hypertonic compared to the yam. This creates a concentration gradient that drives water movement. * **Result:** Over time, water will move out of the yam cells and into the salt solution. The yam will lose water and shrink (decrease in size). However, the most direct effect of the setup will be the movement of