Since cells contain various Biological Molecules, such as Sugars and Salts, they have a Water Potential lower then 0 kPa. Water may move in or out of a cell depending of the Water Potential Gradient between the inside of the cell and its environment.
When water diffuses into a plant cell, when it is placed in a solution of higher Water Potential than inside it, the cell contents will expand. However, since plant cells are surrounded by a strong cell wall, they will not burst. The cell contents will push against the cell wall, and the cell will become Turgid.
If a plant cell is placed in a solution of lower Water Potential, water will diffuse out. This causes the Cytoplasm to shrink and become Flaccid. If enough water leaves, the Cytoplasm will pull away from the cell wall. The cell will become Plasmolysed.
Animal cells will also expand when they are placed in a solution of higher Water Potential. Since animal cells do not have cell walls, if this happens excessively the cell will burst open and become Haemolysed.
If water leaves an animal cell by Osmosis, it will shrink and appear 'wrinkled'. It will become Crenated.
No comments:
Post a Comment