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How does turgor pressure develop in a plant cell?
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Turgor pressure develops in a plant cell through the movement of water into the cell's vacuole. This process is driven by the following mechanism:1
- Solute Accumulation: The vacuole maintains a high concentration of salts and sugars within its cell sap through the active transport of ions.1
- Osmosis: Due to these high solute concentrations, water enters the vacuole via osmosis.1
- Hydrostatic Pressure: As water enters, the vacuole expands, generating hydrostatic pressure known as turgor. This pressure pushes the cell membrane firmly against the rigid cell wall.12
This internal pressure provides structural support and rigidity to living plant tissue. When a plant loses water, the resulting decrease in turgor pressure causes the cells to lose their firmness, leading to the wilting of leaves and flowers.234