... substances. To summarise osmosis: The diffusion of water molecules, down a water potential gradiant across a partially permeable membrane. Cells and osmosis A cell is surrounded by a partially permeable membrane, and water may cross the membrane easily. If cell is placed in a solution of lower water potential, water leaves the cell by osmosis. If the cell is placed in a solution of higher water potential, water enters by osmosis. Plant cells and osmosis When water enters a plant cell by osmosis the cytoplasm will swell, but only until it pushes against the cellulose cell wall, as shown below. The strong wall stops the cells from bursting. We say that the cell is turgid. A plant cell will not be permanently damaged by the entry of water. If water leaves a plant cell by osmosis the cytoplasm will shrink, but the cellulose cell wall will continue to give some support. Plant cells rarely suffer ...

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