Solutes
Solutes
Solutes (/soʊˈluːts/; from Latin solutus, past participle of solvo "to loosen, untie") are substances that are dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. The amount of solutes in a solution determines its concentration. Solutes can be gases, liquids, or solids.
Types of Solutes
There are several types of solutes based on the phase of the solute and solvent. These include:
- Solid in liquid: This is the most common type of solution, where a solid solute is dissolved in a liquid solvent. An example is sugar in water.
- Gas in liquid: In this type of solution, a gas is dissolved in a liquid. An example is oxygen in water.
- Liquid in liquid: This is when a liquid solute is dissolved in a liquid solvent. An example is alcohol in water.
Role in Biological Systems
In biological systems, solutes play crucial roles. They are involved in various biological processes such as osmosis, diffusion, and active transport. Solutes in the body include electrolytes, non-electrolytes, organic substances, and inorganic substances.
Measurement of Solutes
The amount of solute in a solution is typically measured in terms of its molarity, molality, or mass percent. These measurements are important in fields such as chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Related Terms
- Solvent: The substance in which the solute is dissolved.
- Solution: A homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances.
- Concentration: The amount of a solute in a given amount of solvent.
- Osmosis: The movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
- Diffusion: The movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
- Active transport: The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
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