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Give difference between turgid and flaccid cells.

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

Characteristic

Turgid Cell

Flaccid Cell

Water Movement

Endosmosis (water entry) occurs

No net movement (equilibrium)

Turgor Pressure (Ψ<sub>p</sub>)

Maximum positive pressure; Ψ<sub>p</sub> = |Ψ<sub>s</sub>|

Zero pressure (Ψ<sub>p</sub> = 0)

Water Potential (Ψ<sub>w</sub>)

Ψ<sub>w</sub> = 0 (equilibrium with surroundings)

Ψ<sub>w</sub> = Ψ<sub>s</sub> (negative value)

Cell Volume

Cell swells to maximum size

Normal size, neither swollen nor shrunken

Cell Wall

Under tension (wall pressure counteracts turgor)

Relaxed, no tension

Vacuole Size

Large, occupying maximum cell volume

Normal size

Protoplast Position

Pressed firmly against cell wall

Loosely attached to cell wall

External Solution

Cell in hypotonic solution

Cell in isotonic solution

Plant Appearance

Erect, rigid, healthy

Limp, beginning to wilt

Biological State

Optimal for growth, metabolic activities

Intermediate state, neutral

Molecular Basis:

Turgid Cell:

  • Ψ<sub>w</sub>(outside) > Ψ<sub>w</sub>(inside initially)
  • Water enters until Ψ<sub>w</sub>(inside) = Ψ<sub>w</sub>(outside) = 0

Flaccid Cell:

  • Ψ<sub>w</sub>(outside) = Ψ<sub>w</sub>(inside)
  • No driving force for water movement

Significance: Turgor maintains plant rigidity in herbaceous plants (non-woody plants without secondary growth). Loss of turgor leads to wilting.

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General · Class 12