Fig. 7: Schematic overview of plant cell responses to hyperosmotic stress.
From: Systems acclimation to osmotic stress in zygnematophyte cells
a Illustration of a plant cell under varying osmotic conditions. Plant cells typically function optimally in mildly hypo-osmotic environments, which support the build-up of turgor pressure. Under iso-osmotic or hyperosmotic conditions, turgor is lost, resulting in decreased plasma membrane tension, reduced cell wall stiffness, and reduced cell volume. b Detailed view of a plant cell (specifically a zygnematophycean alga) highlighting key subcellular compartments and cellular structures involved in the response to osmotic stress. c Types of hyperosmotic stress: (1) non-ionic osmolarity increase of the environment in the presence of water, (2) increased ionic solute concentration, (3) water loss due to drought, or (4) freezing, which reduces water availability. d Cladogram of the Phragmoplastophyta highlighting key players in hyperosmotic stress responses in Zygnematophyceae that are also present in embryophytes. Proteins with established roles in embryophyte hyperosmotic stress are shown in bold, and those requiring further study are marked with a question mark.
