Osmosis in plant cells. Illustration of the changes in a plant cell in solutions of differing osmotic potential. Osmosis (the flow of water across a semi-permeable membrane,such as a cell membrane) occurs when there is a difference in relative solute-water concentrations. At left,in a hyperosmotic solution,water flows out of the cell,causing the cell body to shrink from the cell wall. At centre,in an isomotic solution,the cell is in a normal,flaccid state. At right,in a hyposmotic solution,water flows into the cell and it swells and becomes turgid. For osmosis in red blood cells,see image C023/8783. For this artwork without labels,see image C023/8786 |