Which of the following elements is responible for maintaining turgor in cells

Options

A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Turgor Pressure**: Turgor pressure is the pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall, which helps maintain the structure and rigidity of plant cells. It is primarily influenced by the osmotic movement of water into the cell.

2. **Identifying Key Elements**: The question provides four options: Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, and Magnesium. We need to determine which of these elements is primarily responsible for maintaining turgor pressure in cells.

3. **Role of Potassium**: Potassium is crucial for the functioning of guard cells, which regulate the opening and closing of stomata. When potassium ions are actively transported into guard cells, they increase the solute concentration inside the cells.

4. **Mechanism of Turgor Maintenance**: The increase in solute concentration inside the guard cells causes water to move into the cells by osmosis. This influx of water leads to an increase in turgor pressure, making the guard cells turgid and allowing them to open the stomata.

5. **Evaluation of Other Options**:
- **Calcium**: While calcium is important for maintaining the integrity of cell walls and plays a role in various cellular functions, it does not directly maintain turgor pressure.
- **Sodium**: Sodium is not essential for plant growth and is involved in metabolic processes but does not play a significant role in maintaining turgor.
- **Magnesium**: Magnesium is a vital component of chlorophyll and is important for photosynthesis, but it does not directly influence turgor pressure.

6. **Conclusion**: Based on the above analysis, the element responsible for maintaining turgor in cells is **Potassium**.

**Final Answer**: Potassium is the element responsible for maintaining turgor in cells.

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