DILUTIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Dilutions refer to the process of reducing the concentration or strength of a substance by adding additional solvent or diluent. This process is commonly used in various fields such as chemistry, pharmacology, and biology, among others. Dilutions are typically performed to achieve lower concentrations that are more suitable for a specific purpose or application.
In chemistry, dilutions are essential for preparing solutions with precise concentrations for experimental procedures or chemical analyses. This involves accurately measuring a desired volume of a concentrated solution and adding a solvent, usually water, to achieve the desired final concentration. The resulting solution is known as a dilute solution.
In pharmacology and medicine, dilutions are often employed in the preparation of medicines and drugs. This is crucial for ensuring patient safety and effective treatment, as certain substances may have toxic or potent effects at higher concentrations. By diluting the active ingredient(s) of a medication, the dosage can be adjusted to suit specific patient needs.
In biological studies, dilutions are commonly used when culturing microorganisms or conducting experiments involving biological samples. Dilutions are performed to reduce the density of organisms, making it easier to count individual colonies or cells and to prevent overcrowding within the culture medium.
Overall, dilutions involve the process of reducing concentration or strength by adding a solvent or diluent, and they hold significant importance in several scientific disciplines.
Common Misspellings for DILUTIONS
Etymology of DILUTIONS
The word "dilutions" is derived from the verb "dilute", which comes from Latin "dilutus", the past participle of "diluere". "Diluere" is a compound word formed from the prefix "di-" meaning "apart" or "thoroughly", and "luere" meaning "wash" or "rinse". Therefore, "dilute" originally meant to wash away or rinse thoroughly. Over time, it developed the specific meaning of mixing or adding a solvent or liquid to make a substance less concentrated or strong, which is the common usage today. "Dilutions" thus refers to the act or process of making a liquid less concentrated by adding a solvent.
Similar spelling words for DILUTIONS
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