Is the Osmolarity definition in wikipedia wrong?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the definition of osmolarity as presented on Wikipedia and whether it accurately reflects the concept, particularly in relation to osmotic pressure and the roles of permeable and non-permeable particles in solutions. Participants explore the implications of these definitions in theoretical and practical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the Wikipedia definition of osmolarity, suggesting it conflates permeable and non-permeable particles, which may lead to confusion regarding osmotic pressure.
  • Another participant argues that all particles contribute to osmotic pressure, regardless of their permeability.
  • A participant highlights that osmotic pressure is defined by non-permeable particles and provides a definition of tonicity, emphasizing that only non-permeable solutes affect tonicity.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the behavior of solutes across a semipermeable membrane, noting that while permeable solutes can cross, their concentrations may not be identical until equilibrium is reached.
  • One participant discusses the dynamics of osmotic pressure in a scenario involving NaCl and water across a membrane, indicating that osmotic pressure can change until equilibrium is achieved.
  • A later reply raises a question about the relationship between hyperosmotic and isotonic solutions, suggesting that the definitions may refer to different states of equilibrium and asks how solutes influence water movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and implications of osmolarity and osmotic pressure, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific definitions and examples, but there is a lack of consensus on the interpretation of osmolarity and its relationship to osmotic pressure and tonicity. Assumptions about the behavior of solutes and the conditions under which these definitions apply are not fully clarified.

sameeralord
Messages
659
Reaction score
3
Is the Osmolarity definition in wikipedia wrong?

"Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration, defined as the number of osmoles of solute per liter of solution (osmol/L). "

but osmole mean particles that contribute to osmotic pressue. Meaning non permeable particles

But osmolarity measures non permeable and permeable particles

So is this definition wrong. Thank you :smile:
 
Biology news on Phys.org


sameeralord said:
but osmole mean particles that contribute to osmotic pressue. Meaning non permeable particles

ALL particles contribute to osmotic pressure, doesn't matter if they are permeable or not.

--
 


Osmotic pressure only defines non permeable particles. I sent you an pm. I'm confused!1

this is the definition

"Tonicity is a measure of the osmotic pressure of two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane. It is commonly used when describing the response of cells immersed in an external solution. Like osmotic pressure, tonicity is influenced only by solutes that cannot cross the membrane, as only these exert an osmotic pressure. Solutes able to freely cross the membrane do not affect tonicity because they will always be in equal concentrations on both sides of the membrane."
 
Last edited:


Those that can cross the membrane will cross it till their concentrations (or more precisely their chemical potentials) on both sides of the memebrane will be identical. It doesn't mean their concentrations on both sides are always identical - that's only when solute is at equilibrium.

Imagine two volumes of water divided with a mebrane that is permeable to both water and Na+/Cl-. You add some NaCl to one side. At first there is an osmotic pressure between both volumes, then it goes down as Na+/Cl- and water crosses the membrane. How long it will take depends on the membrane characteristics, but as long as equilbrium is not reached there will be measurable osmotic pressure.

So, when calculating osmotic pressure, you have to take every particle into account, but at equilibrium those permeable can be ignored, as their effects cancel out.

--
 


Borek said:
Those that can cross the membrane will cross it till their concentrations (or more precisely their chemical potentials) on both sides of the memebrane will be identical. It doesn't mean their concentrations on both sides are always identical - that's only when solute is at equilibrium.

Imagine two volumes of water divided with a mebrane that is permeable to both water and Na+/Cl-. You add some NaCl to one side. At first there is an osmotic pressure between both volumes, then it goes down as Na+/Cl- and water crosses the membrane. How long it will take depends on the membrane characteristics, but as long as equilbrium is not reached there will be measurable osmotic pressure.

So, when calculating osmotic pressure, you have to take every particle into account, but at equilibrium those permeable can be ignored, as their effects cancel out.

--
buffer calculator, concentration calculator
pH calculator, stoichiometry calculator

Thank you :smile: I got it. However this is my last question

"A solution can be both hyperosmotic and isotonic.[1] For example, the intracellular fluid and extracellular can be hyperosmotic, but isotonic - if the total concentration of solutes in one compartment is different than the other, but one of the ions can cross the membrane, drawing water with it and thus causing no net change in solution volume."

So in osmotic solutions are they taking about the situation before equilibrium of permeable solutes and in tonicty they talk about the situation after equilibrium. Also how do solutes pull water with it. Is it because when one side has more solutes the water follow or are the solutes permanatly mixed with water.
 

Similar threads

Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
18K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K