Draw a plant cell in pure water. Add dots to indicate solutes inside the cell. Now add more dots to indicate an increase in solute potential inside the cell. Add an arrow showing the net direction of water movement in response. Add arrows showing the direction of wall pressure and turgor pressure in response to water movement. Repeat the same exercise, but this time, add solutes to the solution outside the cell at a concentration that is greater than inside the cell.

Key Concepts

Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is crucial for maintaining cell turgor and overall homeostasis in plant cells. In the context of the question, understanding osmosis helps explain how water moves in response to solute concentrations inside and outside the cell.

Turgor Pressure

Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid (usually water) inside the central vacuole of a plant cell against the cell wall. This pressure is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the plant and allows it to remain upright. In the scenario described, turgor pressure increases as water enters the cell, which is indicated by arrows showing its direction in response to osmotic changes.

Solute Potential

Solute potential, also known as osmotic potential, is a measure of the tendency of water to move into a solution due to the presence of solutes. It is a key factor in determining the direction of water movement during osmosis. In the question, an increase in solute potential inside the cell indicates a higher concentration of solutes, which influences the net movement of water and the resulting pressure dynamics.