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TONICITY describes the degree to which a solution can exert an osmotic pressure on a membrane. Particles which can freely cross a membrane do NOT affect tonicity. This is because they will freely move in order to achieve equilibrium. Therefore, tonicity is dictated by the particles than can't cross the membrane (such as proteins, which are usually too large to cross, or highly charged particles). Non-permeable particles will therefore force water to cross the membrane towards them in order to achieve equilibrium - they can therefore be said to exert an osmotic pressure on the membrane.

Solutions can be HYPERTONIC (i.e. the surrounding solution contains a larger concentration of these non-permeable particles than inside the cell, causing water to LEAVE the cell) or HYPOTONIC (i.e. the opposite, where water moves INTO the cell). They can also be ISOTONIC (there is equilibrium of the non-permeable particles, so no water moves).

There is a very important distinction between tonicity and OSMOLARITY: osmolarity ALSO takes into account the particles that CAN cross the membrane (the permeable ones). So a solution could be both HYPEROSMOLAR and ISOTONIC at the same time - one set of particles will be able to freely cross the membrane, so there will no net change in cell volume.

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Q: Why is the tonicity of a solution important?
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Is a measure of a solution's ability to change the volume of cells by altering their water content?

tonicity


What are the real world applications of tonicity?

Tonicity is a measure of the effective osmotic pressure gradient; the water potential of two solutions separated by a semipermeable cell membrane. In other words, tonicity is the relative concentration of solutes dissolved in solution which determine the direction and extent of diffusion. It is commonly used when describing the response of cells immersed in an external solution.


Why tonicity is important?

because it refers to the effect of the solutions osmotic pressure has on water movement across the cell membrane of cells with in the solution. because it refers to the effect of the solutions osmotic pressure has on water movement across the cell membrane of cells with in the solution.


What is the tonicity of normal saline compared to your blood?

What is the tonicity of you blood


What's the difference between isotonicity and isoosmosis?

Tonicity is measure of the effective of osmotic pressure. Osmosis is the minimum pressure which needs to be applied to a solution.


What aqueous solution does Lente insulins have?

All Lente preparations have the same aqeous solution. It contains glycerin as a cosolvent and stabilizer, sodium acetate as a buffer, sodium chloride for tonicity, and methylparaben as a preservative.


What is relative tonicity?

From NorthSeattle.edu (see link to the left):Tonicity1. Tonicity of aqueous solutions (water with solutes, such as salt, dissolved in it) is based on cellular responses to that solution.2. Solutions are isotonic if the cells or tissue neither shrink nor swell in response to immersion in that solution.3. Solutions are hypertonic if the cells or tissue shrink in response to immersion.4. Solutions are hypotonic if the cells or tissue swell in response to immersion.See the Web Links to the left for more information.


What is a hypertonic solutions?

Solution that has less concentration than its surroundings and which would lead the solution from the surrounding to enter the body to compensate for the low concentration


How does tonicity relate to osmosis?

Tonicity refers to the measure of the effective osmotic pressure gradient between two solutions. The higher the difference in the tonicity between the two solutions, the more osmosis transpires.


What solution has the same salt concentration as blood and is used for transfussion?

When giving an iso-osmotic transfusion you do not want a solution that has the same salt concentration as blood but rather has the same tonicity(osmotic pressure). This is crucial because if the tonicity of blood changes it can cause cells to burst or shrink depending on the direction of change of the tonicity. So in the case of iso-osmotic transfusion you would give a 0.9% solution of NaCl. To prove that this is iso-osmotic to blood(close to 300 mosm) look below: 0.9% means 0.9gNaCl/100ml= 9gNaCl/L=(9gNaCl/L)*(1mole/58.5g)= 0.153moles/L Osmolarity = molarity*(number of ions)=0.153Molar*2= 0.306 osm = 306 mosm Hope that helps


Effects of tonicity on hemolysis of red blood cells?

A hypertonic solution will cause the cell to shrink as water leaves the intracellular fluid due to osmosis. A hypotonic solution will lead to water crossing into the cell membrane, causing it to swell, leading to hemolysis.


What is isotanic?

Having equal tension. Pertains to a muscular contraction in which the muscle remains to be in a relatively constant tension while its length changes, as in isotonic muscle. Isosmotic, i.e. having the same or equal osmotic pressure and same water potential since the two solutions have an equal concentration of water molecules. Mahesh. Pertaining to a solution that has the same tonicity as some other solution with which it is compared. For example, blood serum is isotonic to a physiologic salt solution. Solutions that have same tonicity will result in no net flow of water across the cell membrane.