Question

Define the term plasmosis and deplasmosis

Answer 1

Plasmolysis refers to the shrinking and separation of the cell membrane from the cell wall due to exosmosis. It occurs when the cells are placed in a hypertonic solution. Hypertonic solutions contain high solute concentrations. Since the water potential is high in the cytoplasm than that of the surrounding solution, water moves out of the cell. This leads to the loss of turgor pressure. Turgor pressure is the force that pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall.


Deplasmolysis refers to the reverse of plasmolysis by which the normal size of the protoplasm is established by the entrance of water into the cell by endosmosis. Thus, deplasmolysis is the swelling of a plasmolyzed cell. It occurs when the cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. Water moves into the cell by endosmosis since the water potential of the surrounding solution is higher than that of the cytoplasm.