... reached 'equilibrium'. Dilute Solution Concentrated Solution Plant cells always have a strong cell wall that surrounds them. When osmosis takes place, and they soak up water, they start to swell. However the cell wall stops them from bursting as it is made from cellulose, which is very strong. When plant cells are put into dilute solutions they become 'turgid', which means hard. Turgidity is important in plants, as it is this what makes plant stems strong and upright. Pressure inside the cell (when in dilute solutions) rises, and eventually this pressure is too high that no more water can enter the cell. The potato cells would increase in length, volume and weight because of the extra water. When plant cells are put into concentrated solutions they lose water by osmosis and become 'flaccid', which means the opposite of turgid - limp. The contents of the potato cells shrink and pull away from ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now