Explain what will happen to a plant cell if it is kept m a solution having higher water potential

(i) With the help of well-leballed diagrams, describe the process of plasmolysis in plants, giving appropriate examples.
(ii) Explain what will happen to a plant cell if it is kept m a solution having higher water potential.

Plasmolysis occurs .when water moves out of the cell and the cell membrane of a plant cell shrinks away from its cell wall. This occurs when the cell is kept in a solution that is hypertonic (has more solutes) to the protoplasm. Water moves out from the cell through diffusion and causes the protoplasm to shrink away from the walls. In such situation, cell becomes plasmolysed.

When the cell is placed in an isotonic solution. There is not flow of water towards the inside or outside. If the external solution balances the osmotic pressure of the cytoplasm, it is said to be isotonic. When the water flow into the cell and out of the cells are in equilibrium the cell is called flaccid.

(ii) When the plant cell is kept in a solution having high water potential (hypotonic solution or dilute solution as compared to cytoplasm), water diffuses into the cell causing the cytoplasm to build up a pressure against the wall, called turgor pressure. The pressure exerted by the protoplasts due to entry of water against the rigid walls is called pressure potential . Because of the rigidity of the cell wall, the cell does not rupture. This turgor pressure is ultimately responsible for enlargement of cells.