plasmolysis
Sign in to savePlasmolysis is the process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution. The reverse process, deplasmolysis or cytolysis, can occur if the cell is in a hypotonic solution resulting in a lower external osmotic pressure and a net flow of water into the cell. Through observation of plasmolysis and deplasmolysis, it is possible to determine the tonicity of the cell's environment as well as the rate solute molecules cross the cellular membrane.
Key facts
- Medical condition.image
- Blausen 0683 OsmoticFlow Hypertonic.png
- Medical condition.caption
- A red blood cell in a hypertonic solution, causing water to move out of the cell.
- Medical condition.specialty
- Cell biology
- Medical condition.causes
- Osmosis
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Article
5 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Turgidity
- Plasmolysis
- References
- External links
Plasmolysis is the process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution. The reverse process, deplasmolysis or cytolysis, can occur if the cell is in a hypotonic solution resulting in a lower external osmotic pressure and a net flow of water into the cell. Through observation of plasmolysis and deplasmolysis, it is possible to determine the tonicity of the cell's environment as well as the rate solute molecules cross the cellular membrane.
==Etymology== The term plasmolysis is derived from the Latin word ‘plasma’ meaning ‘matrix’ and the Greek word ‘lysis’, meaning ‘loosening’.