Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tonicity
noun
/təˈnɪs.ɪ.ti/
Definition
Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes dissolved in solution, which affects the movement of water across cell membranes.
Examples
- The tonicity of IV fluids can impact patient hydration.
- In biology class, we learned how tonicity affects cell behavior in different solutions.
- Hypertonic solutions cause cells to lose water and shrink.
Meaning
It describes how a solution influences the shape and volume of cells, particularly in terms of whether they swell, shrink, or maintain their shape.
Synonyms
- osmotic pressure
- solute concentration
- fluid balance
