Multiple choice

Honey that has a high concentration of sugar, does not decay because

  1. it contains natural antioxidant that prevent bacterial attack

  2. bacteria cannot survive in an active state in a solution of high osmotic strength, as water is drawn out from honey

  3. in honey bacteria are totally deprived of oxygen

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Honey has a very high sugar concentration (about 80% sugars like fructose and glucose). This creates a solution with extremely high osmotic pressure. When bacteria are exposed to this, water is drawn out of the bacterial cells by osmosis, causing them to become dehydrated and die, preventing decay.

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