OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What does a flaccid plant indicate?

1. The plant is healthy and well-hydrated

2. The plant is losing water but maintains structure

3. The plant is unable to support itself

4. The plant's cells are bursting from pressure

The correct answer is: The plant is losing water but maintains structure

A flaccid plant indicates that the plant is losing water but is still maintaining some degree of structure. When a plant is healthy and well-hydrated, its cells are turgid, meaning they are filled with water and pressing against the cell walls, giving the plant a firm appearance. Conversely, in a flaccid state, the cells have lost water, leading to decreased turgor pressure. This condition can result from various factors, including insufficient water uptake or increased water loss due to environmental factors. Although the plant may still have some structural integrity, it is not in an ideal state. If a plant becomes too flaccid and loses further water, it may eventually wilt, indicating a more severe water deficit. The characteristics of flaccid plants also differentiate them from conditions like wilting, where the plant may not be able to support itself adequately anymore. Therefore, the state of being flaccid is an important sign of water stress.