Turgorát

Turgorát is a botanical term referring to the turgor pressure within plant cells. Turgor pressure is the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the contents of a plant cell against its cell wall. This pressure is generated by the movement of water into the cell via osmosis. When a plant cell is in a hypotonic environment, meaning the surrounding solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell's cytoplasm, water enters the cell. This influx of water causes the vacuole to expand, pushing the cytoplasm and the cell membrane against the cell wall.

The cell wall, being relatively rigid, resists this outward pressure, creating turgor pressure. This pressure is crucial for maintaining plant rigidity and shape, a phenomenon known as turgidity. When a plant wilts, it signifies a loss of turgor pressure as the cells lose water, causing them to become flaccid. Turgor pressure plays a vital role in various plant processes, including cell expansion, growth, and the movement of plant parts, such as the opening and closing of stomata and the bending of leaves. The balance between turgor pressure and the osmotic potential of the cell sap is what determines the overall water status and structural integrity of a plant.