HYPERTONIC SOLUTION Meaning and
Definition
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A hypertonic solution is a term used in biology and chemistry to describe a solution that has a higher solute concentration than another solution with which it is compared. In other words, it refers to a solution that has a greater number of dissolved particles (such as ions or molecules) compared to another solution.
When two solutions with different concentrations are separated by a semipermeable membrane, such as a cell membrane, water molecules tend to move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This movement of water is known as osmosis. In the case of a hypertonic solution, because it has a higher solute concentration, it exerts a greater osmotic pressure on the surrounding area compared to the other solution.
In biological systems, a hypertonic solution can have various effects depending on the context. For example, if a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water from inside the cell will move out of the cell towards the solution, causing the cell to shrink and potentially undergo dehydration. This process is called plasmolysis and can have detrimental effects on cell function.
Overall, a hypertonic solution is characterized by its higher solute concentration and ability to induce the movement of water towards itself through osmosis.
Common Misspellings for HYPERTONIC SOLUTION
- gypertonic solution
- bypertonic solution
- nypertonic solution
- jypertonic solution
- uypertonic solution
- yypertonic solution
- htpertonic solution
- hgpertonic solution
- hhpertonic solution
- hupertonic solution
- h7pertonic solution
- h6pertonic solution
- hyoertonic solution
- hylertonic solution
- hy0ertonic solution
- hypwrtonic solution
- hypsrtonic solution
- hypdrtonic solution
- hyprrtonic solution
- hyp4rtonic solution
Etymology of HYPERTONIC SOLUTION
The word "hypertonic" is derived from the prefix "hyper-", which means excessive or above normal, and the word "tonic", which refers to a solution or substance that has the ability to restore or invigorate. Therefore, "hypertonic" can be defined as an excessive or above-normal concentration of solutes in a solution. Consequently, a hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution or the surrounding environment.
