Osmosis in plant cells
Plant cells
Plant cells placed in a solution with an equal water concentration to the contents of their cytoplasm and vacuole (dilute sugar solution) will not experience an overall change in volume. No osmosis occurs.
Plant cells placed in a solution with a high water concentration compared to their contents (eg pure water) will gain water by osmosis and swell up until their cytoplasm and cell membrane are pushing against their cell wall. They are said to be turgidHaving turgor; enlarged and swollen with water..
Water will diffuse from a higher water concentration outside the cell to a lower water concentration inside the cell. The presence of the plant cell wall prevents plant cells from bursting.
Plant cells placed in a solution with a low water concentration compared to their contents (concentrated sugar solution) will lose water by osmosis. Their cell membranes will peel away from their cell walls and they are said to be plasmolysedDescription of a plant cell in which the vacuole has shrunk and the membrane has pulled away from the wall due to water loss by osmosis..
Water will diffuse from a higher water concentration inside the cell to a lower water concentration outside the cell.