Plasmolysis

Definition

Plasmolysis is the process where cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, causing the plasma membrane to pull away from the cell wall. It typically occurs in plant cells when they are exposed to high salt or sugar concentrations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution.
2. During plasmolysis, water moves out of the cell through osmosis.
3. The vacuole shrinks and the plasma membrane detaches from the cell wall.
4. Plasmolysis can be reversed if the cell is placed back into an isotonic or hypotonic solution.
5. It is an important concept for understanding how plant cells interact with their environment.

Review Questions

• What causes plasmolysis to occur in plant cells?
• Describe what happens to the plasma membrane during plasmolysis.
• Can plasmolysis be reversed? If so, how?

Related terms

Osmosis: Movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

Hypertonic Solution: A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Turgor Pressure: The pressure exerted by water inside the central vacuole against the cell wall in plant cells.