Plasmolysis is the process in which plant cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, leading to the contraction of the cell membrane away from the cell wall. This occurs when the external environment has a higher solute concentration than the cell's interior, causing water to move out of the cell through osmosis. As a result, the cytoplasm shrinks, and the cell becomes flaccid, which can ultimately affect the plant's turgor pressure and overall health. Plasmolysis is often observed in plant tissues when they are exposed to saltwater or concentrated sugar solutions.
What is plasmolysis?
Plasmolysis is the process in which plant cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to contract away from the cell wall.
What causes plasmolysis to occur?
Plasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, where the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside, leading to water moving out of the cell.
What is the effect of plasmolysis on plant cells?
The effect of plasmolysis on plant cells is the shrinkage of the cytoplasm, resulting in a flaccid cell that can no longer maintain turgor pressure, which is essential for plant rigidity.
In what type of solutions is plasmolysis commonly observed?
Plasmolysis is commonly observed in solutions with high salt concentrations or concentrated sugar solutions.
What happens to the cell wall during plasmolysis?
During plasmolysis, the cell wall remains intact, but the cell membrane detaches from the cell wall due to the loss of water from the cytoplasm.
In which type of solution does plasmolysis occur?
a) Isotonic solution
b) Hypotonic solution
c) Hypertonic solution
d) Neutral solution
Answer: c) Hypertonic solution
What happens to the cell membrane during plasmolysis?
a) It expands
b) It remains unchanged
c) It contracts away from the cell wall
d) It ruptures
Answer: c) It contracts away from the cell wall
Which of the following can cause plasmolysis in plant cells?
a) Freshwater
b) Saltwater
c) Distilled water
d) Rainwater
Answer: b) Saltwater
What is the primary mechanism driving plasmolysis?
a) Diffusion
b) Active transport
c) Osmosis
d) Filtration
Answer: c) Osmosis
What is the result of plasmolysis on plant turgor pressure?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It remains the same
d) It becomes negative
Answer: b) It decreases