Plasmolysis and deplasmolysis are two opposite processes that occur in plant cells. Plasmolysis occurs when the plant cell loses water due to exposure to a hypertonic solution, while deplasmolysis occurs when the plant cell gains water due to exposure to a hypotonic solution. The main differences between plasmolysis and deplasmolysis are:
- Definition: Plasmolysis is the process of shrinking or shrinking of the cell protoplast due to the movement of water out of the cell, while deplasmolysis is the process of swelling or expanding of the cell protoplast due to the movement of water into the cell.
- Occurrence: Plasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is exposed to a hypertonic solution, while deplasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is exposed to a hypotonic solution.
- Water movement: During plasmolysis, water moves from the inside of the cell to the outside due to the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell, while during deplasmolysis, water moves from the outside of the cell to the inside due to the lower concentration of solutes outside the cell.
- Cell shape: In plasmolysis, the cell shrinks and the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall, leading to a characteristic wrinkled appearance, while in deplasmolysis, the cell swells and the plasma membrane pushes against the cell wall, leading to a plump appearance.
- Reversibility: Plasmolysis is generally reversible, meaning that when the plant cell is returned to a normal or isotonic solution, water moves back into the cell, and the cell returns to its normal shape and size. In contrast, deplasmolysis can be irreversible if the cell wall is damaged due to excessive swelling, leading to the bursting of the cell.
