Video Transcript
Two simplified diagrams of plant
cells are provided. In which diagram is the cell more
turgid?
This question presents two diagrams
of plant cells and asks about turgidity. In order to answer this question
correctly, let’s review what the term turgid means.
Turgidity refers to a cell state
resulting from high water, or fluid, content. This term is usually used when
talking about plant cells, which contain permanent vacuoles that can store
water. When there is a lot of water in the
area surrounding a plant cell, the water will enter the cell by osmosis and is then
stored in the vacuole, which will grow in size. Turgidity is the point at which the
vacuole is so full of liquid that it pushes the cell’s membrane against the cell
wall, making the cell swollen and firm.
Now that we have reviewed what
turgid means, let’s take a look at the diagrams to work out which one shows a cell
that is more turgid. In diagram 1, the vacuole is
storing excess water, so the cell appears swollen and would therefore be described
as turgid. On the other hand, diagram 2 shows
a cell that is not storing very much water in its vacuole, and this cell might be
described as flaccid. Now we know the correct answer to
our question. The diagram that is showing a plant
cell that is more turgid is diagram 1.
