Osmosis and plant cells Flashcards
What happens to a plant cell in a less concentrated solution?
(2)
Water moves into the cytoplasm and vacuole of the cell by osmosis
Water enters the vacuole which swells slightly and pushes the cytoplasm out against the cell wall (Turgor pressure)
What stops a plant cell from swelling when in a less concentrated solution?
The cell walls of plants are strong and rigid which prevents swelling
When is a plant cell said to be turgid?
When a plant cell is in a solution less concentrated than its cell and water enters its vacuole by osmosis which swells slightly and pushes the cytoplasm out against the cell wall
What is turgor pressure?
The outward pressure of the cytoplasm and vacuole against the cell wall of a plant
What gives non-woody plants their strength?
Their cells are fully turgid
What happens when a plant cell are in a more concentrated solution than their cells?
(4)
Water moves out of the cell as a result of osmosis
The vacuole and cytoplasm shrivel and the cell membrane moves away from the cell wall
The more concentrated solution fills the space between the cell membrane and the cell wall
Turgor pressure is lost
What is plasmolysis?
The loss of water from the cytoplasm and the movement of the cell membrane away from the cell wall
What happens to a plant cell when it loses water from its cytoplasm?
(3)
Its cell membrane moves away from the cell wall
The cell becomes flaccid (limp)
The more concentrated solution fills the space between the cell membrane and the cell wall
How can plasmolysed cells be restored?
By placing them in a less concentrated solution
What is deplasmolysis?
The restoration of plasmolysed cells to normal by placing them in a less concentrated solution
