1.8 Osmosis in plants

• What is the main learning objective regarding osmosis in plants?

  To understand why osmosis is important in plants and how to investigate its effect on plant tissues.
• How do plants rely on osmosis?

  Plants rely on osmosis to support their stems and leaves.
• What happens to water in plant cells during osmosis?

  Water moves into plant cells by osmosis, causing the vacuole to swell.
• What is turgor pressure in plant cells?

  Turgor pressure is the pressure that builds up when the vacuole swells and pushes the cytoplasm against the cell wall.
• What is the state of a plant cell when it is turgid?

  A turgid plant cell is rigid and upright.
• Why do plants need a fluid surrounding their root cells?

  Plants need a fluid surrounding their root cells to have a higher concentration than the water concentration of the cytoplasm.
• What happens when the concentration of water in plant cells is higher than outside the cells?

  Water will leave the cells, causing them to become flaccid.
• What is the result of plant cells becoming flaccid?

  When plant cells become flaccid, there is no turgor pressure on the cell walls.
• What are the effects of osmosis on plant tissues?

  • Water enters plant cells, causing them to swell and become turgid.
  • Turgor pressure keeps plant cells rigid and upright.
  • If water leaves plant cells, they become flaccid and lose turgor pressure.