Osmotic stress
nounPronunciation: /ɒzˈmɒtɪk stres/
A physiological condition resulting from an imbalance in water potential between plant cells and their external environment, causing water loss or gain. This stress occurs during drought, salinity, or freezing conditions and disrupts normal cellular functions.
Plain English
When plants lose or gain too much water due to environmental conditions, disrupting their normal functions.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Osmotic stress induced by high soil salinity significantly reduced biomass accumulation in the seedlings."
Style guide notes: Use 'osmotic stress' rather than 'osmotic tension' in contemporary literature; always specify the causal environmental factor.
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Contrasted with
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes osmotic stress in plants?
Osmotic stress results from environmental conditions like drought, high soil salinity, or freezing that create water potential imbalances between cells and their surroundings.
How do plants respond to osmotic stress?
Plants respond by accumulating solutes, closing stomata, adjusting root architecture, and modifying membrane composition to maintain cellular water balance.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Osmotic stress is fundamental to understanding plant responses to multiple abiotic stressors and is essential for crop improvement research.
Required skill level: Junior