Step 1: Concept
Plasmolysis is a phenomenon related to osmosis and the movement of water across the semi-permeable plasma membrane of a plant cell.
Step 2: Meaning
It is the shrinkage of the protoplast away from the cell wall.
Step 3: Analysis
When a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (a solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell sap), water moves out of the cell due to osmosis. This loss of turgor pressure causes the cytoplasm to contract.
Step 4: Conclusion
The outward movement of water (exosmosis) is the direct cause of the shrinkage observed in plasmolysis.
Final Answer: (B)