Tonicity in cells refers to the concentration of solute in a solution outside of a cell, relative to

Choice A rationale: Proteins contain nitrogen, but this is not the reason why they cannot pass through plasma membranes. Nitrogen is a common element in many organic molecules, including nucleic acids and amino acids, which can cross the membrane under certain conditions.

Choice B rationale: Proteins do not cause emulsification, which is the process of breaking down large fat droplets into smaller ones. Emulsification is facilitated by bile salts, which are amphipathic molecules that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Proteins are not amphipathic, and they do not interact with fats in this way.

Choice C rationale: The membrane is made of protein, but this does not prevent proteins from passing through it. The membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, which can act as channels, carriers, receptors, or enzymes for various substances. Some proteins can cross the membrane by using these transport proteins, or by endocytosis or exocytosis.

Choice D rationale: Proteins are very large molecules, and this is the main reason why they cannot pass through plasma membranes. The size of a molecule determines its permeability across the membrane, and proteins are too big to diffuse through the small gaps between the phospholipids or the pores of the transport proteins. Proteins can only cross the membrane by vesicular transport, which requires energy and specific signals.

Choice E rationale: Proteins do not bind to the phospholipids, which are the main components of the membrane. Phospholipids are also amphipathic molecules, with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Proteins are generally hydrophilic, and they do not associate with the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Proteins can bind to other proteins or carbohydrates on the surface of the membrane, but this does not affect their ability to cross it.

Choice A rationale: The cell membrane did not change at all because of the protection of the cell wall is incorrect because the cell wall does not prevent the movement of water across the cell membrane. The cell wall only provides mechanical support and prevents the cell from bursting in a hypotonic solution.

Choice B rationale: The cells burst because the solution was hypotonic is incorrect because the solution was hypertonic, not hypotonic. A hypertonic solution has a lower concentration of water than the cell, so water moves out of the cell and into the solution by osmosis, causing the cell to shrink.

Choice C rationale: The cell membrane shrank, but the central vacuole remained full is incorrect because the central vacuole also loses water in a hypertonic solution. The central vacuole is a large organelle that stores water and other substances in the plant cell. When water leaves the cell, the central vacuole shrinks and the cell loses its turgor pressure.

Choice D rationale: The cell membrane shrank away from the cell wall because the solution was hypertonic is correct because this is what happens when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. The cell membrane and the cytoplasm contract and pull away from the cell wall, creating a gap between them. This is called plasmolysis and it can damage the cell.

Choice E rationale: The cell became turgid is incorrect because the cell becomes turgid in a hypotonic solution, not a hypertonic one. A hypotonic solution has a higher concentration of water than the cell, so water moves into the cell and out of the solution by osmosis, causing the cell to swell and press against the cell wall. This is called turgor and it helps the cell maintain its shape and rigidity.