An unripe mango placed in a concentrated salt solution to prepare pickles shrivels because:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → It loses water due to osmosis
In osmosis, solvent (water) flows through a semipermeable membrane from the side of lower solute concentration to the side of higher solute concentration. The cell sap inside the mango is less concentrated than the strong salt solution (brine) outside, so water moves out of the mango and it shrivels.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) It gains water due to osmosis — Incorrect. Water would enter only if the outside solution were more dilute than the cell sap, as when wilted flowers revive in fresh water.
Option (2) It loses water due to reverse osmosis — Incorrect. Reverse osmosis needs an external pressure larger than the osmotic pressure applied on the concentrated side (as in desalination); no such pressure acts here.
Option (3) It gains water due to reverse osmosis — Incorrect. Wrong in both respects: water leaves the mango, and no external pressure is applied.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure – …
Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | 09-06 S3 | 17-08 S1 |