When Plant Cells Lose Water Plant Physiology UNI 2009
Fully turgid cell In equilibrium with pure water Solutes in cell “pull” water in Pressure positive Membrane pushed up against wall Wall stretched slightly (most cells) Leaf feels really stiff WP = 0 PP = +15 SP = -15
Slight water loss (few %) Slight water loss Almost no change in water volume Pressure changes significantly (still +) Solute potential does not change significantly Membrane still pushed up against wall Wall still stretched slightly (most cells) Leaf feels quite stiff WP = -10 PP = +5 SP = -15
More water loss (few more %) Slight further water loss Almost no change in water volume Pressure changes significantly (still +) Solute potential does not change significantly Membrane still pushed up against wall Leaf not very stiff WP = -14 PP = +1 SP = -15
More water loss (wilting) Slight further water loss Almost no change in water volume Pressure now just at zero Solute potential still about the same Membrane just touching wall Leaf wilted WP = -15 PP = 0 SP = -15
Even more water loss (cell plasmolyzing) Slight further water loss More membrane pulling away from wall (not attached) Pressure still zero (= atmosphere) Significant change in water volume Solute becomes more concentrated Solute potential lower Leaf still wilted, but alive WP = -20 PP = 0 SP = -20
Yet more water loss (further plasmolysis) Slight further water loss More membrane pulling away from wall (not attached) Pressure still zero (= atmosphere) Significant change in water volume Solute becomes more concentrated Solute potential lower Leaf still wilted, but alive WP = -25 PP = 0 SP = -25
Lethal water loss More further water loss More membrane pulling away from wall (not attached) Pressure still zero (= atmosphere) Solute becomes more concentrated, solute potential lower Irreversible loss of membrane & protein function WP = -40 PP = 0 SP = -40
The End Plants can lose turgor (pressure) and not be harmed Cells can plasmolyze a bit and not be harmed If cells become sufficiently dehydrated, metabolic functions are reduced If they be come too dehydrated, they die