Tonicity

Front

What is tonicity?

Back

Tonicity refers to the ability of a surrounding solution to affect the volume of a cell by osmosis, based on the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water and maintaining cell shape.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move out of the cell, leading to cell shrinkage.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell, which may lead to swelling or bursting.

Front

How does osmosis relate to tonicity?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, influenced by the tonicity of the solutions.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink and become dehydrated.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, which can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of tonicity?

Back

Equilibrium occurs when the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is the effect of an isotonic solution on red blood cells?

Back

Red blood cells maintain their normal shape in an isotonic solution, as there is no net movement of water.

Front

What is the clinical significance of understanding tonicity?

Back

Understanding tonicity is crucial in medical settings for administering IV fluids, as the wrong tonicity can lead to cell damage.