Question

Water is important to plant cells because it is used as one of the reactants in the process of photosynthesis. What is another reason why water is important to plant cells?

A.) Water can be used as a substitute for glucose in times of distress.
B.) Water helps to maintain turgidity in plant cells.
C.) Water is a major structural component found in plant cell walls.
D.) Water signals plant DNA to start transcription and translation.

Answer 1

Water helps to maintain turgidity in plant cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plant cells must retain their turgidity, or rigid structure, in order to effectively undergo photosynthesis, because if a plant's stems or leaves wilt, the surfaces of the leaves will not be able to properly absorb energy from the Sun. Inside of plant cells are large vacuoles that hold water. These vacuoles can take up 30-90% of the total volume of the plant cell. The water in these vacuoles helps to maintain turgidity in the plant cells.

(STUDY ISLAND)

Answer 2

Answer: B.) Water helps to maintain turgidity in plant cells.

Turgidity can be defined as the amount of water that is required to make water to exert internal force from inside the plant cell. This is called as turgor pressure it exerts the pressure on the plasma membrane against the cell wall. This process maintains the rigidity inside the plant cell and cells exert external turgor pressure on the neighboring cells that creates a tension, which allows plants to stand erect. Without the amount of appropriate water, the plant cells will collapse and plants will be wilted.

Therefore, water helps to maintain turgidity in plant cells is an important property of plant cells.