In order to understand the plasmolysis in epidermal peels of rhoeo leaves, it can be stated that two experiments have been conducted by using the solution of NaCl salt. The study involves the epidermal peelings or layering where the cells of the plants are placed in a hypertonic and hypotonic solution of sugar or salt.
The process through which the cells lose water when they are kept in a hypertonic solution which has a higher rate of concentration of solutes is determined as plasmolysis.
Figure 1: Osmosis in a plant cell
The phenomenon involves the comparison between the concentration rate of solutes and the inner cell concentration. Three stages of plasmolysis are there which divide the process including incipient plasmolysis, plasmolysis to the end, and clear plasmolysis.
Plasmolysis can also be further divided into two major types, concave plasmolysis, and convex plasmolysis.
The aim of the experiment of plasmolysis in epidermal peels of rhoeo leaves highlights the phenomenon of changes taking place in epidermal layers or the peels of the rhoeo leaves.
Figure 2: Rhoeo Plant
The phenomenon of plasmolysis shows the condition of the plants when it is in stressful condition. The plants experience stress when there is a lack of water and nutrients content.
The rhoeo leaf experiment also highlights how the cells of the plants are protected against plasmolysis. In this experiment, sodium chloride is used in two quotes like 0.1% and 5% of NaCl solutions. Through this experiment, it has been found that some plants have a layer of natural wax on the leaves that protects and helps them in the regulation of transportation.
The main principle of the study highlights the fact the membrane of the rhoeo plant’s cells is semi-permeable in nature. The cell membrane of this plant permits water and other molecules of ions that move across in order to block harmful pathogens.
Figure 2: Plasmolysis stages in a cell
The study is conducted in order to observe how the cells of the rhoeo leaf lose water when they are kept submerged in NaCl solution for 30 minutes. The leaves are left in hypertonic and hypotonic solutions. In order to conduct the experiment, the solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) salt is used at both 0.1% and 5%.
The material that is required to complete the experiment successfully is listed below.
Petri dish
Glass slides
Rhoeo leaf (sample)
Needles
Filter paper
Forceps
Droppers
Watch glasses
Compound microscope
A 0.1% solution of sodium chloride
Coverslips
A 5% solution of sodium chloride
The points that depict the process of the experiment of plasmolysis in epidermal peels of rhoeo leaves are mentioned below.
Approximately, 2 glass slides are placed on the experiment table. A leaf of the rhoeo plant has been taken for the experiment of plasmolysis in epidermal peels of the leaf. The leaf that was previously kept in the solution in a petri dish is used for the experiment.
A fold on the leaf is made in such a manner that the researcher can tear it from the lower portion accurately.
2 small fragments of a transparent and a fine layer are taken from the lower parts of the leaf’s epidermal layer. In this case, forceps are used for accuracy.
On one of the glass slides, the epidermal layers or peels of the rhoeo leaf are placed finely.
Droppers are utilized in order to add some solution of sodium chloride to the glass slides.
The quantity of sodium chloride must be 01% that is 1 to 2 drops are enough for the study.
Another dropper is used and again 1 to 2 drops of sodium chloride solution are applied to the other glass slide. The solution of the sodium chloride this time used is 5%.
On both the glass slides, coverslips are utilized in order to cover the epidermal peels through a needle. The experiment is then kept aside for 30 minutes.
A compound microscope is used to observe the changes in the peels after 30 minutes of the experiment.
After 30 minutes of the completed experiment, it has been found that the cells of the rhoeo leaf where the solution of 5% sodium chloride (5% of NaCl) was applied are showing plasmolysis. On the other side, the cells of the rhoeo leaf where the solution of 0.1% of sodium chloride (0.1% of NaCl) was applied have become turgid.
Some precautions must be taken while conducting the experiment as mentioned below.
The epidermal layers or the peels of the rhoeo leaf need to be moist and should not dry up.
The epidermal peels or the layers need to be extracted from the lower portion of the leaf of the rhoeo plant.
During the experiment, the slide needs to be kept dry by removing the excess water or solution with the help of a filter paper.
The study aims to focus on the plasmolysis phenomenon that takes place in cells of rhoeo plants. The leaves of the rhoeo plants are used in this experiment of plasmolysis as they have coloured sap of the cells. A compound microscope is used in order to observe the changes in the colour of the cell sap of the rhoeo plant’s leaf. The solutions that are used in this study include 5% of NaCl and 0.1% of NaCl salt.
Q1. What is osmotic pressure?
Ans. The process of osmosis is checked with the help of osmotic pressure. In order to check the solvent passages during osmosis, osmotic pressure is applied.
Q2. What is the importance of plasmolysis?
Ans. Plasmolysis is determined as the essential phenomenon as it defines the process of osmotic pressure. It demonstrates the cell wall permeability and the protoplasm’s semi-permeable nature.
Q3. What are the stages of plasmolysis?
Ans. The process of plasmolysis can be divided into 3 different stages. The major stages of plasmolysis include incipient plasmolysis, plasmolysis to the end, and clear plasmolysis.
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