[PDF] hypertonic solution definition biology

What is a hypertonic solution in biology?

Hypertonic refers to a solution with higher osmotic pressure than another solution. In other words, a hypertonic solution is one in which there is a greater concentration or number of solute particles outside a membrane than there are inside it. A hypertonic solution is one which has a higher solute concentration than another solution.

What are some examples of hypertonic solutions?

An example of a hypertonic solution is the interior of a red blood cell compared with the solute concentration of fresh water. When two solutions are in contact, solute or solvent moves until the solutions reach equilibrium and become isotonic with respect to each other. Red blood cells are the classic example used to explain tonicity.

What is the osmolarity of a hypertonic solution?

Osmolarity is defined as the concentration of a solution in number of solutes per liter. Furthermore, hypotonic solutions are classified in biology, with reference to blood serum. Therefore, with respect to blood serum, the solutions that have osmolarity that is less than 280mOsm/liter are referred to as hypotonic solutions.

How does a hypertonic solution affect the cells of a living organism?

Since water tends to flow out of the cell, cells placed in a hypertonic solution will shrink. The process by which water moves out a cell in a hypertonic solution is called plasmolysis. Cells that lose too much water can be damaged, and organisms immersed in strongly hypertonic solutions can become dehydrated.