Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

osmole

noun

ˈäzˌmōl

Definition

A unit of measurement used in chemistry to quantify osmotic pressure, defined as the amount of a substance that contributes to the osmotic pressure of a solution.

Examples

The osmole is used to measure the concentration of solutes in blood plasma.
Understanding osmoles is essential for studying cell osmosis and fluid balance.
In terms of osmoles, a solution with one mole of glucose will have one osmole, while a solution with one mole of sodium chloride will have two osmoles because it dissociates into two ions.

Meaning

Osmole refers to the quantity of solute particles in a liter of solution that exerts osmotic pressure. It is particularly relevant in biological and physiological contexts where the movement of water across membranes is important.