Plasmolysis
/ˌplæzˈmɑləsɪs/
Definition
Plasmolysis is a biological process in plant cells in which the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall after the cell loses water by osmosis to a more concentrated surrounding solution. It happens in living cells with large vacuoles, usually under salty or very dry conditions. Unlike ordinary wilting, plasmolysis describes shrinkage of the cell contents inside the wall, not just drooping of tissues.
Biological Role
- Water stress signal: It shows that cells are losing enough water to drop turgor pressure, the internal pressure that keeps many leaves and young stems firm.
- Visible tissue effects: When it becomes widespread, wilting, slowed growth, and edge burn can follow because cell expansion and normal transport are disrupted.
- Common trigger conditions: It is most often associated with very salty soils, strong fertilizer buildup, or drought, all of which draw water out of root and leaf cells.
- Teaching and lab value: Botany classes often observe it in epidermal cells under a microscope because it clearly demonstrates osmosis, the movement of water across a membrane.
Related Terms
Osmosis
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Osmotic potential
Osmotic potential describes the part of a cell’s water potential caused by dissolved substances such as sugars, salts…
Vacuole
Vacuole refers to a membrane-bound compartment inside a plant cell, best known as the large central vacuole found in…
Transpiration
Transpiration is the plant process of losing water vapor to the air, mainly through tiny leaf pores called stomata, and…
Underwatering
Underwatering describes a condition in which a plant receives less water than it needs to maintain normal growth and…
Overwatering
Overwatering describes a condition in which soil stays wet for too long or is watered more often than roots can use. In…