MHT CET Medical202622 April 2026Evening ShiftBiologyTransport in PlantsActual
Given below are two statements regarding the root pressure theory of translocation of water in plants. Statement (I): Under normal conditions, the sap in the xylem cells shows negative hydrostatic pressure. Statement (II): It also shows high osmotic pressure. In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Options
- ABoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
- BBoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
- CStatement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
- DStatement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
Correct answer
C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Step-by-step solution
Regarding the root pressure theory of water translocation, there are several objections based on observations of plants under normal conditions: First, under normal conditions (when transpiration is occurring), the sap in the xylem cells is under tension due to transpiration pull. This means it exhibits a negative hydrostatic pressure rather than the positive pressure proposed by the root pressure theory. Therefore, Statement (I) is correct. Second, the xylem sap consists primarily of water with a very dilute conce