

Key Differences Between Flaccid and Plasmolysed Cells
Flaccid and plasmolysed are two terms used to describe plant cell conditions based on water movement. A flaccid cell occurs when it is placed in an isotonic solution, where there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell. On the other hand, a plasmolysed cell is when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall due to water loss. In both cases, there is no turgor pressure, but plasmolysis causes the protoplasm to contract.
Table: Key Differences Between Flaccid and Plasmolysed Cells
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FAQs on Difference Between Flaccid and Plasmolysed Cells: Key Facts
1. What is called plasmolysed?
A plasmolysed cell is a plant cell that has lost water, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall, typically in a hypertonic solution.
2. What is meant by flaccid cell?
A flaccid cell occurs when a plant cell is in an isotonic solution, and there is no movement of water into or out of the cell, leading to no turgor pressure.
3. What is the difference between flaccid and turgid?
A flaccid cell has no turgor pressure, while a turgid cell has turgor pressure due to water entering the cell, making it swollen and firm.
4. What is the difference between plasmolysed and crenated?
Plasmolysis happens in plant cells in hypertonic solutions, while crenation occurs in animal cells under the same conditions, causing the cells to shrink.
5. Can animal cells be plasmolysed?
No, plasmolysis occurs only in plant cells, as animal cells lack a rigid cell wall.
6. What is the opposite of plasmolysed?
The opposite of plasmolysed is deplasmolysed, which happens when a plasmolysed cell regains its water and the protoplasm expands back to its normal state.
7. Why do red blood cells burst in water?
Red blood cells burst in pure water because the surrounding solution is hypotonic, and water moves into the cells, causing them to swell and eventually rupture.
8. How do you tell if a cell is turgid, flaccid, or plasmolysed?
A turgid cell is swollen and firm, a flaccid cell is limp with no turgor pressure, and a plasmolysed cell has a shrunken protoplasm away from the cell wall.
9. What is the difference between turgor pressure and wall pressure?
Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the cell's contents against the cell wall, typically when the cell is turgid. Wall pressure is the counteracting pressure that the cell wall exerts against the expanding cell to prevent over-expansion.
10. What is the difference between hypotonic vs hypertonic?
A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to enter the cell. A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration, leading to water leaving the cell, causing it to shrink or plasmolyse.





