What is the Difference Between Plasmolysis and Cytolysis?

Plasmolysis and cytolysis are both cellular processes that occur due to osmotic pressure, but they have distinct differences:

Plasmolysis:

• Occurs when a cell is immersed in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell to lose water and the protoplasm to shrink.
• Can be of two types: concave plasmolysis, which is reversible, and convex plasmolysis, which is irreversible.
• Is characterized by the formation of gaps between the cell wall and the plasma membrane due to water loss.

Cytolysis:

• Occurs when a cell is immersed in a hypotonic solution, causing the cell to take in excessive water and the cell to burst.
• The cell wall and the cell membrane separate, leading to the cell's inability to regulate its hydration properly.

In summary, plasmolysis is the process of water leaving the cell due to hypertonic surroundings, while cytolysis is the process of water entering the cell due to hypotonic surroundings. Both processes can result in cell damage or death, but plasmolysis is characterized by the shrinking of the protoplasm and the formation of gaps between the cell wall and plasma membrane, whereas cytolysis leads to the bursting of the cell due to excessive water intake.

Comparative Table: Plasmolysis vs Cytolysis

Plasmolysis and cytolysis are two processes that occur in cells when they are immersed in solutions with different osmotic pressures. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two processes:

In summary, plasmolysis is the process where plant cells lose water and shrink in response to a hypertonic environment, while cytolysis is the bursting of cells due to excessive water influx in a hypotonic environment.