Question

What gives turgidity to plant cells

Answer 1

Dear Student, Vacuole is the cell organelle that maintains the turgidity and rigidity of the plant cell. The solution of the vacuole is different from the solution of cytoplasm since it contains stored food, waste material and enzymes. Plant cells always have a strong cell wall surrounding them. When the take up water by osmosis they start to swell, but the cell wall prevents them from bursting. Plant cells become "turgid" when they are put in dilute solutions. Turgid means swollen and hard. The pressure inside the cell rises, eventually the internal pressure of the cell is so high that no more water can enter the cell. This liquid or hydrostatic pressure works against osmosis. Turgidity is very important to plants because this is what make the green parts of the plant "stand up" into the sunlight. Regards