An herbicide has been used on weeds in a garden. A scientist wants to understand the mechanism of action for this herbicide and examines a plant cell that has been treated with the herbicide. She discovers that the cell can no longer withstand hypotonic solutions and will lyse due to the treatment. Which of the following statements BEST explains which organelle the herbicide damages and why? A. The herbicide must have damaged the cell membrane, as it is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the protecting the cell and managing water passing in and out of the cell. B. The herbicide must have damaged the cytoplasm, as it is responsible nsible for protecting and supporting the cell. C. The herbicide must have damaged the nuclear membrane, as it is responsible for controlling particle movement into and out of the cell. D. The herbicide must have damaged the cell wall, as it is responsible for supporting and maintaining the integrity of the cell.

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a scenario where a scientist is examining a plant cell that has been treated with an herbicide. The cell can no longer withstand hypotonic solutions and will lyse due to the treatment. The scientist needs to determine which organelle the herbicide has damaged and why.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The cell's inability to withstand hypotonic solutions and its tendency to lyse indicates that the cell membrane has been damaged. The cell membrane is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the cell and managing the movement of water in and out of the cell.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The cell membrane is a semi-permeable barrier that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It also helps maintain the cell's shape and size. When the cell membrane is damaged, the cell loses its ability to regulate the movement of water, leading to an imbalance in the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell. This imbalance causes water to rush into the cell, leading to cell lysis.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The other options (B, C, D) are incorrect because they do not explain the cell's inability to withstand hypotonic solutions and its tendency to lyse. The cytoplasm, nuclear membrane, and cell wall do not play a direct role in regulating the movement of water in and out of the cell.