What Happens to Plant Cells in a Hypertonic Solution

WHAT HAPPENS TO PLANT CELLS IN A HYPERTONIC SOLUTION? (LAB)

Plant tissue is normally rigid or crisp because of the turgor pressure within the cells. When plant cells lose their turgor pressure, the plant wilts. What happens on the cellular level when a plant cell is exposed to a hypertonic solution?

PROCEDURE:

1. Use forceps to take a leaf from the tip of an Elodea sprig, and place it on a slide with a drop of water. Apply a coverslip. 2. Observe it first with low power and then with high power. Draw a cell and its contents. 3. Place a drop of 3% salt solution on the slide near one side of the coverslip. Place a piece of paper towel on the opposite side of the coverslip to draw out the plain water and pull the salt water underneath the coverslip. 4. Observe the cell for a few minutes and then sketch it.

DRAWINGS:

WITH WATER WITH SALT WATER

ANALYSIS 1. What happened to the cells when they were exposed to the 3% salt solution?

2. Based on what you have learned about diffusion and osmosis, explain what you observed?