Some Things to Remember for Osmosis

Definitions to know and understand:

osmosis: diffusion of water

osmolarity: concentration of all particles (solutes) in a solution, in osmoles/liter (osm). Remember that an osmole is defined as the number of moles of particles in one liter solution. This is calculated by adding the concentrations of all particles in a solution, remembering that some solutes dissociate when dissolved in water. For example, 1 mole of NaCl dissociates into 2 moles of particles (Na⁺ and Cl^-). Other examples that you need to know: KCl - into 2 particles; MgCl₂ - three particles; CaCl₂ - three particles.

isoosmotic: two solutions having equal concentrations of solutes

hypoosmotic: a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution

hyperosmotic: a solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than another solution

isotonic: two solutions having equal concentrations of impermeable solutes

hypotonic: a solution that has a lower concentration of impermeable solutes than another solution

hypertonic: a solution that has a higher concentration of impermeable solutes than another solution

Sample problems dealing with osmosis

return to home