Plasmolysis

Plasmolysis is a cellular state of plant cells in which, after a loss of water, the membrane pulls away from the cellulose-pectin wall. It is the opposite to the state of turgidity.

Plasmolysis occurs when a flow of water leaves the plant cell and vacuole by osmosis. The loss of pressure generated then causes the soft parts of the plant to wilt (stems, leaves, petals), as they are no longer supported by turgid pressure.

This flow of water is created either by a lack of water in the external environment, or by the presence, in the surrounding environment, of a liquid that is more concentrated than the cellular environment. In these situations, water moves by osmosis from the cellular environment towards the external environment.

Thus, plant cells subjected to drought or water that has too high a concentration of salt will lose their water as plasmolysis occurs. The soft parts will then wilt, and the plant will die from hydric stress if it is unable to rapidly reabsorb water.