Turgor and Plasmolysis

Question 1

Hypotonic

Answer 1

water potential of external solution is higher than the solution inside the cell, the external solution is hypotonic and water moves into the cell

Question 2

Hypertonic

Answer 2

water potential of external solution is lower than solution inside the cell, the external solution is hypertonic and water moves out of the cell

Question 3

Isotonic

Answer 3

external solution and internal solution have the same water potential, both solution are isotonic, no net movement of water

Question 4

Plasmolysis

Answer 4

• plant cells in a hypertonic solution lose water by osmosis
• vacuole shrinks and cytoplasm draws away from the cell wall
• when complete the cell is flaccid - floppy
• cannot provide support
• plant wilts

Question 5

Incipient plasmolysis

Answer 5

• external concentration high enough that the cell lose just enough water
• cell membrane begins to be pulled from the cell wall
• cell wall doesn’t exert any pressure on the cytoplasm so no pressure potential

Question 6

Tugor

Answer 6

• plant cell in hypotonic solution take water in, until stopped by pressure from cell wall
• water enters, contents push out more, increasing pressure potential
• pressure potential rises until equal with the solute potential
• no more water can enter
• cell becomes turgid
  - provides support
  - maintain shape
  - holds them upright
• no tendency for water to move so water potential is 0