plasmolysis

[ plaz-mol-uh-sis ]
/ plæzˈmɒl ə sɪs /

noun Botany.

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

Origin of plasmolysis

First recorded in 1880–85; plasmo- + -lysis

OTHER WORDS FROM plasmolysis

plas·mo·lyt·ic [plaz-muh-lit-ik] /ˌplæz məˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective plas·mo·lyt·i·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for plasmolysis

British Dictionary definitions for plasmolysis

plasmolysis
/ (plæzˈmɒlɪsɪs) /

noun

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

Derived forms of plasmolysis

plasmolytic (ˌplæzməˈlɪtɪk), adjective plasmolytically, adverb

Medical definitions for plasmolysis

plasmolysis
[ plăz-mŏlĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. plas•mol•y•ses (-sēz′)

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

Other words from plasmolysis

plas′mo•lytic (plăz′mə-lĭtĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for plasmolysis

plasmolysis
[ plăz-mŏlĭ-sĭs ]

Plural plasmolyses (plăz-mŏlĭ-sēz′)

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.