plasmolysis

[ plaz-mol-uh-sis ]

noun

, Botany.

1. contraction of the protoplasm in a living cell when water is removed by exosmosis.

plasmolysis

/ ˌplæzməˈlɪtɪk; plæzˈmɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. the shrinkage of protoplasm away from the cell walls that occurs as a result of excessive water loss, esp in plant cells See exosmosis

plasmolysis

/ plăz-mŏl′ĭ-sĭs /

, Plural plasmolyses plăz-mŏl′ĭ-sēz′

1. Shrinkage or contraction of the protoplasm away from the wall of a living plant or bacterial cell, caused by loss of water through osmosis. It results in loss of turgor and, in plants, wilting of the stems and leaves. If too severe, it can be fatal to the cell.

Derived Forms

• ˌplasmoˈlytically, adverb
• plasmolytic, adjective

Other Words From

• plas·mo·lyt·ic [plaz-m, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective
• plasmo·lyti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plasmolysis¹

First recorded in 1880–85; plasmo- + -lysis

Example Sentences

Excretions from root-hairs—Osmotic phenomena—Turgescence—Plasmolysis—Control of the protoplasm in absorption, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

He then proved that no injury need accrue to the cell by this process of plasmolysis, since the turgescence can be restored by washing out the salt with a more dilute solution, or with pure water; and the cell may go on living and even growing as before.

From Project Gutenberg

This phenomenon, which is known as plasmolysis, occurs at the moment when the solution of nitrate of soda begins to abstract water from the protoplasmic juice, i.e. when the osmotic tension of the nitrate of soda becomes greater than that of the protoplasmic liquid.

From Project Gutenberg

Examine microscopically and note the strongest solution which does not cause plasmolysis and the weakest solution which does plasmolyse the organism.

From Project Gutenberg

Sap vacuoles must be distinguished from spores, on the one hand, and the vacuolated appearance due to plasmolysis, on the other.

From Project Gutenberg