D2.3 Water potential

Water potential

The potential energy of water in relation to soil, air, and plant tissues, which affects water movement.

Solvation

The process of surrounding solute particles with solvent molecules, such as water.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak attractions formed between polar molecules, including water and solute molecules.

Hypotonic environment

A solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to the cell, causing water to enter the cell.

Lysis

The bursting of cells due to excessive water intake in a hypotonic environment.

Turgor pressure

The pressure exerted by cell contents against the cell wall, providing structural support.

Isotonic environment

A solution with the same concentration of solute as the cell, resulting in no net water movement.

Hypertonic environment

A solution with a higher concentration of solute than the cell, causing water to exit the cell.

Plasmolysis

The process of cell shrinkage away from the cell wall due to water loss in a hypertonic environment.

Contractile vacuole

An organelle that pumps excess water out of the cell to prevent swelling in hypotonic conditions.