Definition

To undergo a process where a cell loses water and shrinks due to being placed in a hypertonic solution.

Example

When the plant cells were exposed to salt water, they began to plasmolyze, causing the leaves to wilt.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you know that plant cells can plasmolyze when they're in a salty solution?

Really? I didn't know that happened!

Yeah, it’s interesting how they lose water and shrink.

Nature has such cool processes, doesn’t it?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To cause a cell to lose water and shrink due to the surrounding solution having a higher concentration of solutes.

Example

When the plant cells were placed in a salty solution, they began to plasmolyze and lose their shape.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you ever tried to plasmolyze a plant cell in your biology experiments?

No, I haven't done that yet. What does it involve?

It's when you use a solution to make the cell lose water — pretty interesting!

Root Explanation

Plasmolyze → It is formed from "plasma" (from Greek "plasma", meaning something molded or formed) and "-lyze" (from Greek "lyzein", meaning to loosen or dissolve). The word "plasmolyze" refers to the process of a cell losing water and causing the plasma membrane to pull away from the cell wall, effectively loosening its structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'plasma' as the fluid part of a cell that is being 'loosened' or 'dissolved' ('-lyze'). This helps you remember that plasmolyze means the process of a cell losing its fluid.

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