plasmolysis

noun Botany.

1. contraction of the protoplasm in a living cell when water is removed by exosmosis.

noun

1. the shrinkage of protoplasm away from the cell walls that occurs as a result of excessive water loss, esp in plant cellsSee exosmosis

n.1883, from French plasmolysis (1877), from plasmo- (see plasma) + Greek lysis “a loosening” (see -lysis). Related: Plasmolytic; plasmolyze. n. pl. plas•mol•y•ses (-sēz′)

1. Shrinkage or contraction of the protoplasm away from the wall of a living plant or bacterial cell, caused by loss of water through osmosis.

Plural plasmolyses (plăz-mŏl′ĭ-sēz′)

1. Shrinkage or contraction of the protoplasm away from the wall of a living plant or bacterial cell, caused by loss of water through osmosis. It results in loss of turgor and, in plants, wilting of the stems and leaves. If too severe, it can be fatal to the cell.