In which condition plant cells become flaccid?

Plant cells become flaccid when there is a loss of water from the cell. This loss of water causes the cell's central vacuole to shrink and the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall. Flaccidity typically occurs in plant cells when they lose turgor pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall due to water uptake.

Several conditions can lead to plant cells becoming flaccid:

Water Deficit: When there is insufficient water available for uptake by the plant roots, water potential decreases, causing water to move out of the plant cells through osmosis. This loss of water reduces turgor pressure and results in flaccid cells.

Extreme Temperatures: High temperatures can accelerate transpiration (loss of water through leaves), leading to rapid water loss from the cells and subsequent flaccidity. Conversely, very low temperatures can reduce metabolic activity in plants, impairing their ability to maintain turgor pressure.

Disease or Damage: Diseases or physical damage to plant tissues can disrupt water movement or cause leakage from cells, resulting in flaccid cells.

Lack of Soil Nutrients: Deficiencies in essential nutrients like potassium can impair the plant's ability to regulate water balance and maintain turgor pressure, leading to flaccidity.

In summary, flaccid plant cells are a sign of water loss or impaired water uptake, which disrupts the normal turgor pressure essential for maintaining cell structure and function.