Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. In the context of pickling, when cucumbers are placed in brine, water moves out of the cucumber cells into the saltier brine, causing the cucumbers to lose water and become wrinkled.
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Brine Solution
Brine is a high-concentration saltwater solution used in the pickling process. The salt in the brine creates a hypertonic environment, which draws water out of the cucumber cells through osmosis. This process not only preserves the cucumbers but also alters their texture, leading to the wrinkled appearance.
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Cellular Structure of Cucumbers
Cucumbers are composed of cells that contain a large amount of water, contributing to their crisp texture. When exposed to brine, the loss of water from these cells leads to a decrease in turgor pressure, which is the pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall, resulting in the cucumber's transformation into a wrinkled, softer state.
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Structural Formula Concept 2