Hypotonic solution
Hypotonic Solution
A Hypotonic Solution (pronounced: hi-po-TON-ik so-LOO-shun) is a type of solution that has a lower osmotic pressure than another solution. In the context of biology, it refers to a solution that has less solute concentration than the cell it surrounds.
Etymology
The term "Hypotonic Solution" is derived from the Greek words 'hypo' meaning 'under' and 'tonos' meaning 'tension'.
Function
When a cell is immersed in a hypotonic solution, the tendency of water is to move into the cell causing it to swell. This is due to the process of osmosis, where water moves from an area of low solute concentration (outside the cell) to an area of high solute concentration (inside the cell) to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides.
Related Terms
- Isotonic Solution: A solution that has the same solute concentration as another solution.
- Hypertonic Solution: A solution that has a higher solute concentration than another solution.
- Osmosis: The process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one.
- Solute: The minor component in a solution, dissolved in the solvent.
- Solvent: A substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hypotonic solution
- Wikipedia's article - Hypotonic solution
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