16). What is plasmolysis? What would happen if you placed Elodea in dH20? I have a biology lab exam coming up this is one of the review topic questions. I would appreciate the help. Solution Plasmolysis is the process where cell looses water when it is present in hypertonic solution due to higher external osmotic pressure. Similar to the above statement if cell keep in dH2O it causes cytolysis which means water enter into cell and causes it to enlarge, this is due to lower external osmotic pressure..