A flaccid cell is a plant cell that lacks turgidity, meaning it is not swollen and plump but loose or floppy. In a flaccid cell, the plasma membrane does not press tightly against the cell wall. This happens when the water potential inside the cell is equal to the water potential outside the cell.
Here's a breakdown of what makes a cell flaccid:
- Lack of turgor pressure: The internal pressure exerted by the cell's contents against the cell wall, known as turgor pressure, is absent or low.
- Plasma membrane separation: The plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall, creating a gap.
- Equilibrium with the environment: The water potential inside the cell is equal to the water potential of the surrounding environment.
Examples of flaccid cells:
- Plant cells placed in an isotonic solution, where the water concentration inside and outside the cell is the same.
- Plant cells that have lost water due to transpiration or dehydration.
Understanding the context of a flaccid cell:
Flaccidity is a common state for cells in a hypertonic environment. This happens when the concentration of solutes is higher outside the cell than inside. Water moves out of the cell to try and balance the concentration gradient, causing the cell to become flaccid.
In contrast to a flaccid cell, a turgid cell is a swollen and plump cell with high turgor pressure. The plasma membrane pushes tightly against the cell wall, giving the cell its rigidity. This occurs when the water potential inside the cell is higher than the water potential outside.
