Question

What is plasmolysis and give an example?

Answer 1

Plasmolysis:

1. Plasmolysis is the process in which cells lose water when they are placed in a hypertonic solution.
2. It causes contraction or shrinking of the plasma membrane away from the cell wall.
3. It is a reversible process and the cell can get back to normal when placed in a hypotonic solution.

Types of plasmolysis:

1. Concave plasmolysis: In this, both the protoplasm and the plasma membrane are detached from the cell wall making a "half-moon shaped" in the cell.
2. Convex plasmolysis: Due to excessive loss of water the cells loosen their protoplasm and the plasma membrane leading to the destruction of the cell.

Process of plasmolysis:

1. Initially, the cell starts losing water and the cell starts contracting.
2. In the second stage, the cell is contracted maximally and the cytoplasm starts detaching from the cell wall.
3. The cytoplasm is completely detached from the cell wall.

Example: Blood cell shrinks when they are placed in hypertonic solution.