What it means
Water moves through cell membranes toward the side with more dissolved particles, until both sides are balanced. This is why IV fluids are chosen by their concentration: a hypotonic fluid pulls water into cells, a hypertonic fluid pulls water out of them, and an isotonic fluid such as 0.9% sodium chloride does neither. Osmosis also explains how dialysisdy-AL-ih-sisA treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.dia- through, apart-lysis separation, looseningFull entry removes extra water.
Remember it
In osmosis, water follows the particles.
At a glance
| Spanish | ósmosis |
|---|
Related terms
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
dialysis
A treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.
membrane
A thin layer of tissue that covers, lines or separates parts of the body, or the outer layer of a cell.
interstitial fluid
The fluid in the spaces between the body's cells, outside the blood vessels.