How do hypertonic solutions affect plant cells?

Hypertonic solutions have a significant impact on plant cells due to osmosis. When a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (where the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside), water tends to move out of the cell, across the cell membrane, towards the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell. This process is called osmosis.

Specific effects on plant cells include:

Plasmolysis: As water leaves the cell, the cytoplasm shrinks away from the cell wall. This causes the cell membrane to detach from the cell wall, leading to wilting and potential cell damage.

Reduced Turgor Pressure: Normally, plant cells maintain turgor pressure, which helps support the plant structure. In a hypertonic solution, as water leaves the cell, turgor pressure decreases, causing the cell to lose its rigidity and become flaccid.