osmolarity and tonicity

may 14

osmotic equilibrium

a state of equilibrium when there is an equal amount of solutes dissolved between both body compartments (ECF and ICF), causing the free movement of water

chemical disequilibrium

a condition where solute concentrations differ between compartments, leading to the net movement of water.

osmotic disequilibrium

a condition where osmotic pressure differs between compartments, resulting in the movement of water to balance solute concentrations.

osmosis

the movement of water across a membrane that is due to differences in concentrations of solutes

osmotic pressure

the exact amount of pressure needed to stop the movement of water across the membrane due to osmosis

molarity

moles of solute / liter of solution

osmolarity

osmoles of solute / liter of solution

hyposmotic

refers to a solution that has fewer solute particles per unit of water than the solution it's being compared to.

isosmotic

refers to a solution that has an equal amount of solute particles compared to another solution

hyperosmotic

refers to a solution that has more solute particles compared to another solution

tonicity

a comparative term used to describe a solution based on how the solution would affect the volume of a cell placed in that solution.

hypotonic

a solution that has fewer dissolved solutes and a higher water concentration inside the cell (causes cell to swell)

isotonic

a solution that has an equal amount of dissolved solutes inside and outside of the cell.

hypertonic

a solution that has more dissolved particles surrounding the cell, causing the cell to shrink due to water leaving from the cell.