Question

Which of the following helps in maintaining form and structure of cells and soft parts of plants?

• A. Osmotic pressure
• B. Turgor pressure
• C. Atmospheric pressure
• D. DPD

Answer 1

The correct option is B Turgor pressure

Plant cells, algae, bacteria, and fungi have relatively rigid cell walls. These cells can withstand, without bursting, an external medium that is very dilute, containing only a very low concentration of solutes. Because of the substances dissolved in the cytoplasm, the cells are hypertonic to the outside medium (conversely, the outside medium is hypotonic to the cytoplasm). Water moves into the cells by osmosis, filling their central vacuoles and distending the cells. The cells swell, building up turgor pressure against the rigid cell walls. The cell walls stretch only slightly, and a steady state is reached when their resistance to stretching prevents any further increase in cell size and thereby halts the net movement of water molecules into the cells. Turgor pressure in the cells is an important factor in supporting the body of a nonwoody plant.

So, the correct answer is option B.