Introduction to General Chemistry
Solutions and Solubility
Human physiology is essentially a complex aqueous solution, where concentration gradients drive nutrient and drug movement.
Solution Components
- Solute: The substance being dissolved (e.g., glucose, electrolytes).
- Solvent: The dissolving medium (primarily water in the body).
- Solubility: Maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a solvent.
Concentration Metrics
- Molarity: Concentration of solute in moles per liter.
- Osmolarity: Total concentration of all particles in a solution.
- Tonicity: Effect of solution concentration on cell volume (isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic).
Clinical Context
- IV Fluids: Choice depends on tonicity to prevent cell crenation or lysis.
- Diffusion: Movement of solutes from high to low concentration.
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