What is plasmolysis?

Plasmolysis refers to the process where a plant cell loses water in a hypertonic solution, leading to the collapse of the cell's cytoplasm away from the cell wall. This occurs when the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than inside, causing water to exit the cell in order to balance the solute concentrations. As the cell loses water, its turgor pressure decreases, which is essential for maintaining its structure, leading to wilting and a reduction in internal pressure.

In contrast to plasmolysis, the bursting of a cell due to excess water (which is a concept called lysis) occurs when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, causing water to enter the cell excessively. The movement of water into a cell is associated with osmotic pressure and does not apply to the definition of plasmolysis, which specifically involves water loss. Finally, the equilibrium of solution concentrations refers to a state where solute concentration is equal both inside and outside the cell, which is a different concept from the active process of plasmolysis.