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Which organelle provides structural support and protection to a plant cell, preventing it from bursting in a hypotonic medium?
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Vacuole
Nucleus
Cell wall
The cell wall is a rigid, non-living layer external to the cell membrane in plant cells. It provides mechanical support and prevents the cell from lysing (bursting) when water enters via osmosis in a hypotonic environment by exerting wall pressure.
The cell wall is a rigid, non-living layer external to the cell membrane in plant cells. It provides mechanical support and prevents the cell from lysing (bursting) when water enters via osmosis in a hypotonic environment by exerting wall pressure.
The cell wall acts like the sturdy metal frame of a tire, which keeps the inner rubber tube from popping when it is inflated with high-pressure air.
CW = Cell Wall, Constrains Water (prevents bursting).
╬иwтАЛ=╬иsтАЛ+╬иpтАЛ тАФ represents the water potential equation where ╬иpтАЛ is pressure potential generated by the cell wall.
When a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell due to a lower solute concentration outside. This creates turgor pressure against the cell wall. The cell wall, being rigid, exerts an equal and opposite force called wall pressure, which balances the turgor pressure and prevents further expansion, maintaining the cell's integrity.
Plant cell walls are primarily composed of cellulose, a polysaccharide.
The cell wall provides the characteristic fixed shape of plant cells.
It allows plant cells to remain turgid, which is essential for structural support in non-woody plants.
Bacteria and fungi also possess cell walls, though their chemical compositions (peptidoglycan and chitin, respectively) differ from plants.
Provides physical protection against pathogens.
Enables turgor pressure, which allows plants to stand upright without a skeleton.
Limits the motility of the cell compared to animal cells.
Requires high energy expenditure for synthesis during growth.
Maintenance of plant architecture.
Control of cell expansion during growth and development.
Cell wall is absent in animal cells, which is why animal cells may burst in hypotonic solutions.
Option A (Cell membrane) is a flexible barrier, not rigid enough to prevent bursting.
Option C (Vacuole) stores water but does not provide structural rigidity to the overall cell.
Option D (Nucleus) is the genetic control center of the cell.
B is correct тАФ The cell wall provides a rigid outer boundary that exerts wall pressure to counteract turgor pressure, preventing the cell from bursting.
Always remember that plant cells become 'turgid' in hypotonic solutions and 'plasmolyzed' in hypertonic solutions, while animal cells become 'lysed' or 'crenated' respectively.