Final answer:
Osmotic pressure is the pressure that develops inside a cell when water enters through osmosis, often creating turgor pressure in plant cells, which provides structural support.
Step-by-step explanation:
When water moves into a cell as a result of osmosis, it creates pressure within the cell, which is referred to as osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure develops because the influx of water increases the volume of the cell's contents, pushing against the cell membrane or cell wall. This can be particularly evident in plant cells, where the pressure builds up until it exerts a turgor pressure against the cell wall, which gives the plant stability and support. In cells without cell walls, such as animal cells, excessive osmotic pressure can lead to cell lysis or bursting.
In a hypotonic solution where the cell's environment has a lower concentration of solutes than the inside of the cell, water will move into the cell, and turgor pressure will prevent more water from entering once it has reached an equilibrium. This process is vital for maintaining cell shape and function and is also significant in medical applications such as dialysis. Osmotic pressure is regulated by the concentration of solutes within the cell compared to the external environment, and it is a critical factor in water balance for both plant and animal cells.