Question

Explain the term plasmolysis. Give one application of the phenomenon in our daily life.

Answer 1

Plasmolysis

1. Plasmolysis is the contraction or shrinking of a plant cell's protoplasm caused by water loss.
2. It is a rare occurrence in nature that happens as a product of osmosis.
3. The entire process of plasmolysis is divided into three stages: Incipient plasmolysis, Evident plasmolysis, and Final plasmolysis.

1. Incipient plasmolysis is the first stage of plasmolysis when water begins to flow out of the cell; the cell decreases in volume, and the cell wall becomes visible.
2. Evident plasmolysis is the next step of plasmolysis when the cell wall has reached its contraction limit and the cytoplasm has detached from the cell wall, forming a spherical shape.
3. Final plasmolysis is the third and final stage of plasmolysis. It takes place when the cytoplasm is entirely detached from the cell wall and stays in the cell's center.

One application of plasmolysis in our daily life could be the shrinking of vegetables in a hypertonic solution.