What does hypotonicity mean?
Hypotonicity refers to a state of being less concentrated or less dense than another substance or solution. This term is often used in biology and chemistry to describe a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution. In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes is lower than in a hypertonic solution, which can cause cells to swell and eventually burst. Hypotonicity is an important concept in understanding the behavior of cells and solutions, and it has applications in various fields such as medicine and biotechnology. The term is derived from the Greek words 'hypo' meaning under and 'tonic' meaning tension, and it is related to other terms such as hypertonic and isotonic. Hypotonicity is a useful concept to understand the behavior of cells and solutions, and it has important implications for various fields.
noun
A state of being less concentrated or less dense than another substance or solution, often used to describe a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution.
- 1. A state of being less concentrated or less dense than another substance or solution.
"The hypotonicity of the solution caused the cells to swell and eventually burst."
"The hypotonicity of the solution caused the cells to swell and eventually burst."
"In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes is lower than in a hypertonic solution."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hypotonicity
The term 'hypotonicity' is derived from the Greek words 'hypo' meaning under and 'tonic' meaning tension. It is related to other terms such as hypertonic and isotonic, which describe different states of being in relation to tension or concentration.
Usage notes
Hypotonicity is a term used in biology and chemistry to describe a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution. It is often used in medical and biotechnological contexts to understand the behavior of cells and solutions.