Final answer:
Fungal cells have turgor pressure, which is crucial for their growth and maintaining structural rigidity. Turgor pressure results from the osmotic influx of water, counteracted by the cell wall strength, and is critical for organisms with cell walls to prevent lysis and maintain shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, fungal cells do have turgor pressure. This pressure is essential for the growth and structural rigidity of fungal cells. Turgor pressure is the force within the cell that pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall, and it is generated by the osmotic flow of water into the cell. This mechanism functions in various organisms that possess cell walls, such as plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protists, allowing them to resist lysis in hypotonic environments and maintain cellular structure.
In both plants and fungi, turgor pressure plays a key role in cellular expansion during growth. For example, for a fungus to grow, internal pressures have to overcome the strength of its cell wall. The water potential gradient drives an influx of water into the cell, generating considerable force, which is evident when observing occurrences such as dandelions breaking through concrete.
Furthermore, turgor pressure is crucial for maintaining the rigidity of nonwoody plants. When plants or fungi are not properly hydrated and their cells become hypertonic, water leaves the cells, leading to a loss of turgor pressure and resulting in wilting or loss of structural integrity.