Cell Response to Osmotic Pressure

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terms related to how cells respond to different osmotic pressures.

Animal Cell

Lacks a cell wall, making it flexible and unable to resist pressure like a balloon.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same concentration of solutes as another solution, implying no net movement of water.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to another solution, causing water to move into the cell.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure exerted by the cell's contents against its cell wall, especially in plant cells.

Plant Cell

Contains a cell wall that provides support and resists pressure changes, allowing it to tolerate hypotonic solutions.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer in plant cells that provides support and counteracts the pressure from hypotonic solutions.

Water Potential in Animal Cells

Hypotonic solutions cause the cell to swell and potentially burst due to lack of a cell wall.

Water Potential in Plant Cells

The cell wall resists the pressure from hypotonic solutions, preventing the cell from bursting and maintaining turgor pressure.