What do you understand by turgor pressure?

Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the cell’s contents (cytoplasm and vacuole) against the cell wall in a plant cell due to water intake.

How It Works

Plant cells absorb water by osmosis. As water enters the vacuole, it swells and pushes the cell membrane outward against the rigid cell wall. This outward pressure is called turgor pressure.

Importance of Turgor Pressure

• Keeps plant cells firm and gives structure to plants.
• Maintains rigidity of leaves and stems.
• Drives cell growth by stretching the cell wall.
• Supports opening and closing of stomata for gas exchange.

Examples in Plants

• Wilting occurs when turgor pressure decreases due to water loss.
• Upright leaves and stems show high turgor pressure.

Comparison with Animal Cells

Animal cells do not have cell walls, so they cannot build up significant turgor pressure. Instead, they may burst if too much water enters.