Question

. Plants do not have skeletal systems; instead, they rely on turgor pressure within their cells to hold themselves upright. Turgor pressure is the force exerted against the cell wall by water inside the cell. Ideally, the cell has access to a hypotonic solution (water with relatively few solutes) so that it can continually bring in water as needed. Excess water can be stored in large vacuoles, or storage sacs, to help increase the turgor pressure. How does this happen?

Answer 1

Plants rely on turgor pressure within their cells to hold themselves upright, as they do not have a skeletal system like animals. Turgor pressure is the force exerted against the cell wall by water inside the cell. Here's how this process happens:

1. Water absorption: Plants absorb water from their surroundings through their roots. The root cells are in contact with soil, which contains water and dissolved nutrients. The root cells take in water through a process called osmosis.

2. Hypotonic solution: Ideally, the plant cells have access to a hypotonic solution, which means the water outside the cells has relatively fewer solutes compared to the cell's interior. This creates a concentration gradient that allows water to enter the cells more easily.

3. Osmosis: The process of osmosis occurs when water molecules move from an area of higher water concentration (outside the cell) to an area of lower water concentration (inside the cell) through a selectively permeable membrane. In this case, the cell wall acts as a barrier, allowing water to pass through while retaining solutes.

4. Increased water content: As water enters the plant cells, the vacuoles, which are large storage sacs within the cells, help store excess water. These vacuoles can expand and contract, increasing or decreasing in size depending on the water availability. The increased water content in the cells creates turgor pressure.

5. Turgor pressure: Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the water against the cell wall. It helps to maintain the rigidity and structural integrity of the plant, keeping it upright. The cells become firm and swollen, providing support to the plant's stems, leaves, and other structures.

In summary, plants rely on turgor pressure to hold themselves upright. They absorb water through their roots, take advantage of a hypotonic solution to facilitate water entry into the cells, and store excess water in vacuoles to increase turgor pressure. This mechanism allows plants to maintain their shape and structure without a skeletal system.