Turgor Pressure

Definition

Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the contents of a cell against the cell wall or cell membrane. It is an important factor that affects the growth and overall health of cells, particularly in plants and some microorganisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Turgor pressure is essential for the structural support and maintenance of plant cells and tissues, as it helps to keep the cells and leaves upright and firm.
2. Turgor pressure is generated by the osmotic movement of water into the cell, which creates a positive pressure inside the cell against the cell wall or membrane.
3. Changes in turgor pressure can affect the rate of cell growth and the overall shape and size of the plant or microbial cell.
4. Factors that can influence turgor pressure include water availability, solute concentration, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
5. Maintaining optimal turgor pressure is crucial for various cellular processes, including cell expansion, nutrient transport, and resistance to environmental stresses.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of turgor pressure in the growth and maintenance of plant cells.
  • Turgor pressure is essential for the structural support and growth of plant cells. It is generated by the osmotic movement of water into the cell, which creates a positive pressure inside the cell against the cell wall or membrane. This pressure helps to keep the cells and leaves upright and firm, and it also drives the expansion and elongation of cells during growth. Maintaining optimal turgor pressure is crucial for various cellular processes, including cell expansion, nutrient transport, and resistance to environmental stresses.
• Describe how changes in turgor pressure can affect the overall shape and size of plant or microbial cells.
  • Changes in turgor pressure can have a significant impact on the shape and size of plant or microbial cells. When turgor pressure is high, the cells are fully expanded and turgid, which provides structural support and rigidity. However, if the turgor pressure decreases, such as during water stress or environmental changes, the cells can undergo plasmolysis, where the cell membrane shrinks and pulls away from the cell wall. This can lead to a decrease in cell size and a change in the overall shape of the plant or microbial cell, affecting its growth and function.
• Analyze the relationship between turgor pressure, osmosis, and the overall health and functioning of plant and microbial cells.
  • Turgor pressure is directly linked to the process of osmosis, as it is the result of the osmotic movement of water into the cell. When water moves into the cell, it creates a positive pressure against the cell wall or membrane, known as turgor pressure. This turgor pressure is essential for the structural support, growth, and overall health of plant and microbial cells. Factors that affect osmosis, such as changes in water availability or solute concentration, can directly influence turgor pressure and, consequently, the cell's ability to maintain its shape, size, and function. Understanding the relationship between turgor pressure, osmosis, and cellular health is crucial for understanding the environmental conditions that can impact the growth and survival of plant and microbial cells.

Related terms

Osmosis:

The movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to a region of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration).

Plasmolysis:

The process in which the cell membrane of a plant cell shrinks and pulls away from the cell wall due to a loss of water and a decrease in turgor pressure.

Turgidity: The state of a cell or tissue when it is fully expanded due to a high level of turgor pressure, which provides structural support and rigidity.