Plasmolysis

Plasmolysis
Plant cells are eukaryotes, composed of specialised cellular organelles that differ in several fundamental
factors from Animal cell. Plant cells usually consist of a thick cell wall that functions by holding them
upright and also prevents from losing their shape. The plasma membrane, cytoplasm and all other cell
organelles function together to keep the plant active. The vacuoles, a fluid-filled membrane-bound
organelle, located within the cytoplasm, holds the water in the plant cell. In certain conditions, plant
cells do not get a sufficient amount of water, or there is a severe loss of water from the cell. This results
in the total shrinkage of the plant cell and the phenomenon are called plasmolysis.
What is Plasmolysis?
Plasmolysis is defined as the process of contraction or shrinkage of the protoplasm of a plant cell and is
caused due to the loss of water in the cell. Plasmolysis is an example of the results of osmosis and rarely
occurs in nature.
The word Plasmolysis was generally derived from a Latin and Greek word plasma – The mould and lusis
meaning loosening.
Stages of Plasmolysis
The complete process of Plasmolysis take place in three different stages:
Incipient plasmolysis: It is the initial stage of the plasmolysis, during which, water starts flowing out of
the cell; initially, the cell shrinks in volume and cell wall become detectable.
Evident plasmolysis: It is the next stage of the plasmolysis, during which, the cell wall has reached its
limit of contraction and cytoplasm gets detached from the cell wall attaining the spherical shape.
Final plasmolysis: It is the third and the final stage of the plasmolysis, during which the cytoplasm will
be completely free from the cell wall and remains in the centre of the cell.
How do Water Pass through the Cell Membranes?
During the process of Plasmolysis within the plant cell, the cell membrane separates the interiors of the
cell from the surrounding. It allows the movement of water molecules, ion and other selective particles
across the membrane and stops others. Water molecules travel in and out of the cell across the cell
membranes and the water flow is a necessary consequence that enables cells to fetch water.
The process of plasmolysis can be easily explained in the laboratory by placing a living cell in a strong
salt solution. When the plant cells are placed in the concentrated salt solution, because of osmosis,
water from the cell sap moves out. Therefore, the water travels through the cell membrane into the
neighboring medium. Finally, the protoplasm separates from the cell and assumes a spherical shape.
Normally, for this experiment, Tradescantia or Rheo plant cell, Elodea plants or onion epidermal cells are
used, because they have coloured sap which can be easily observed and identified under the
microscope.
Types of Plasmolysis
There are two different types of plasmolysis and this classification is mainly based on the final structure
of the cytoplasm.
Concave Plasmolysis
During the concave plasmolysis, both the cell membrane and protoplasm shrink away and begins to
detach from the cell wall, which is caused due to the loss of water. Concave plasmolysis is a reversible
process and it can be revised by placing the cell in a hypotonic solution, which helps calls to regain the
water back into the cell.
Convex plasmolysis
During the convex plasmolysis, both the cell membrane and protoplasm lose so much water that they
completely get detach from the cell wall. Later, the cell wall collapses and results in the destruction of
the cell. Similar to concave plasmolysis, convex plasmolysis cannot be reversed, and this happens when
a plant wilts and dies from lack of water. This type of plasmolysis is more complicated compared to
convex plasmolysis.
Examples of Plasmolysis
Plasmolysis is more common and happens in extreme cases of water loss. Some real-life examples of
Plasmolysis are:
Shrinkage of vegetables in hypertonic conditions.
Blood cell shrinks when they are placed in the hypertonic conditions.
During extreme coastal flooding, ocean water deposits salt onto land.
Spraying of weedicides kills weeds in lawns, orchards and agricultural fields. This is due to the natural
phenomena-Plasmolysis.
When more amount of salt is added as the preservatives for food like jams, jellies, and pickles. The cells
lose water due to higher concentration outside and become less conducive to support the growth of
microorganisms.
Deplasmolysis
When the plasmolysed cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, (the solution in which solute concentration
is less than the cell sap), the water travels into the cell, due to the higher concentration of water outside
the cell. Then the cell swells and becomes turgid. This is known as deplasmolysis.
When the living cells are placed in isotonic solution (both solutions have an equal amount of solute
particles), the water does not flow within or outside. Here, the water passes in and out of the cell and in
an equilibrium state, and therefore, the cells are called as flaccid.

Plasmolysis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Plasmolysis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Plasmolysis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Plasmolysis

How do Water Pass through the Cell Membranes?

Shrinkage of vegetables in hypertonic conditions.

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.