Turgor pressure in plants is the pressure exerted by the fluid (mostly water) inside the plant cells against the cell wall. It’s a similar thing to the pressure you feel when you blow air into a balloon, causing it to expand and become firm. In plants, this pressure is essential for maintaining the structural shape, integrity and rigidity of the plant cells and tissues.
Here’s how it works biologically: Inside each of plant cell, there is a central vacuole filled with cell sap, which is mostly water along with dissolved nutrients and other substances. When the cell absorbs water through osmosis (the movement of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across a semi-permeable membrane), the vacuole expands, exerting pressure against the cell wall. This pressure pushes against the rigid cell wall, making the cell firm and giving the plant structure and support.
Turgor pressure is very important for various plant functions like:
Cell shape and size: Turgor pressure helps maintain the shape and size of plant cells. Without sufficient turgor pressure, cells would become flaccid like an unblown balloon and lose their shape, leading to wilting and drooping of leaves and stems.
Upright growth: Turgor pressure contributes to the rigidity of plant tissues, allowing the plant to stand upright against the force of gravity. This is especially important for tall plants such as grown plants and trees.
Transport of nutrients: Turgor pressure is involved in the transport of nutrients and water throughout the plant. It helps drive the movement of fluids through the xylem and phloem, which are vascular tissues responsible for transporting water, minerals, and sugars.
Still confused?
Imagine each plant cell as a tiny balloon filled with water. Turgor pressure is like when you blow air into a balloon and it gets bigger and harder. Inside the plant, water fills up these balloons, making them strong and firm, just like when your balloon gets big and tight. This helps the plant to stand up straight and tall, like how you stand up straight when you’re not tired.
When plants don’t get enough water, their balloons start to get smaller and softer, just like when you let the air out of a balloon. This makes the plant droopy and sad-looking, like when you feel tired and don’t want to stand up straight anymore.
So, turgor pressure is like the plant’s way of staying strong and tall, just like how balloons stay big and tight when you blow air into them