Osmolarity: Difference between revisions
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Osmolarity is the number of particles per litre of solution. It is a measure of | Osmolarity is the number of particles per [[litre|litre]] of solution. It is a measure of solute concentration. Osmolarity of a solution is based on the number of [[ions|ions]] the [[molecule|molecule]] dissolved in the solution dissociates into and the [[molar|molar]] concentration of that solution. For example, NaCl dissociates into two ions (Na<sup>+</sup> and Cl<sup>-</sup>) within [[aqueous|aqueous]] conditions. Osmolarity = M x n (no.of ions). As a result, in a 1 M solution of NaCl, the osmolarity will be 2 Osm.<sup></sup><br> | ||
One way in which osmolarity is regulated is by the pumping out of ions by the [[Na+/K+ ATPase pump|sodium/potassium pump]] | One way in which osmolarity is regulated is by the pumping out of ions by the [[Na+/K+ ATPase pump|sodium/potassium pump]]<ref>Alberts, B, (2008) p663 “Microbiology of the cell” 5th Ed., New York, Garland Science</ref>. | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:02, 4 December 2016
Osmolarity is the number of particles per litre of solution. It is a measure of solute concentration. Osmolarity of a solution is based on the number of ions the molecule dissolved in the solution dissociates into and the molar concentration of that solution. For example, NaCl dissociates into two ions (Na+ and Cl-) within aqueous conditions. Osmolarity = M x n (no.of ions). As a result, in a 1 M solution of NaCl, the osmolarity will be 2 Osm.
One way in which osmolarity is regulated is by the pumping out of ions by the sodium/potassium pump[1].
References
- ↑ Alberts, B, (2008) p663 “Microbiology of the cell” 5th Ed., New York, Garland Science