3. Osmosis and plasmolysis

 

This process occurs till equilibrium is attained. It is a passive process (energy is not utilised) in which the movement of water or any other solvents is observed.

Based on the concentrations of solute, solutions are of three types:

 

  

1. Hypertonic: When the concentration of the external environment of the cell is greater than the environment inside the cell, it is known as hypertonic.

 

2. Isotonic: When the external and internal environments of the cell are equal, it is known as isotonic.

 

3. Hypotonic: When the concentration of the internal environment of the cell is higher than the external environment, it is known as hypertonic.

 

  

It is a process that occurs when a living plant cell is placed inside a hypertonic solution. During this, the water molecule moves out of the cell resulting in the shrinkage of protoplasm away from the cell wall.