Question

turgor pressure - refers to the force exerted by water as the central vacuole expands and pushes the cell membrane against the cell wall. use the picture to the right to answer the questions below. use the model to the right to answer the questions below. q3: describe the movement of water (osmosis) in a plasmolysed plant cell. what type of solution was the plant likely placed in? (hyper- hypo- or isotonic?) q4: describe the movement of water (osmosis) in a turgid plant cell. what type of solution was the plant likely placed in? (hyper- hypo- or isotonic?) q5: critical thinking - do plants prefer to be turgid or flaccid? think about what organelles and structures plant cells have that allow them to thrive in this environment.

Explanation:

Q3

Step1: Analyze Plasmolysed Cell

A plasmolysed plant cell has the protoplast (cell membrane and contents) shrunk away from the cell wall. This happens when water moves out of the cell.

Step2: Determine Solution Type

Water moves out of the cell (osmosis) when the external solution has a higher solute concentration (lower water potential) than the cell sap. This is a hypertonic solution. So water moves out of the cell (from cell to solution), and the cell was in a hypertonic solution.

Step1: Analyze Turgid Cell

A turgid plant cell has the cell membrane pushed against the cell wall due to water entering the cell.

Step2: Determine Solution Type

Water moves into the cell (osmosis) when the external solution has a lower solute concentration (higher water potential) than the cell sap. This is a hypotonic solution. So water moves into the cell (from solution to cell), and the cell was in a hypotonic solution.

Plants prefer to be turgid. Turgid cells have the central vacuole full of water, exerting turgor pressure that keeps the cell rigid, supporting the plant (e.g., maintaining leaf and stem structure for photosynthesis, nutrient transport). Flaccid cells lack this pressure, causing wilting, which hinders functions like light capture (leaves droop) and gas exchange. Structures like the cell wall resist bursting in hypotonic environments, allowing turgidity to be beneficial.

Answer:

Movement of water: Water moves out of the plant cell (from the cell's vacuole/cytoplasm to the external solution) via osmosis. Solution type: Hypertonic.

Q4