Question

What do you understand by plasmolysis?

Answer 1

1. Cell sap can be concentrated and has a high osmotic pressure.
2. When a cell comes into contact with water or a hypotonic solution (lower osmotic pressure), osmosis occurs and water enters the cell across the cytoplasmic membrane.
3. This causes enlargement of the cell.
4. When a cell comes into contact with a hypertonic solution (greater osmotic pressure), water is transferred from the cell to the solution via osmosis. This shrinks the cell. Plasmolysis is the process by which cells shrink due to osmotic forces.