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Michael Sue

What is the difference between isotonic and isosmotic? Is it...

Charles Grierson  Follow
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Cliff Curtis  Follow

Article Isosmotic is not always isotonic: The five-minute version


Check this page, it will answer to your questions


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Alesha Harrison  Follow


Isotonic refers to a solution having the same solute concentration as in a cell or a body fluid. Isosmotic refers to the situation of two solutions having the same osmotic pressure. Isosmotic solutions cause cells to absorb water from surrounding or to lose water from cells.Please look at the following below links which may help you in your analysis:
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-isotonic-and-vs-isosmotic/#:~:text=Isotonic%20refers%20to%20a%20solution,having%20the%20same%20osmotic%20pressure.&text=However%2C%20Isosmotic%20solutions%20cause%20cells,to%20lose%20water%20from%20cells.
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D. Sigdel  Follow

Isotonic and isoosmolar are often used interchangeably, and this is true if the solutes on both sides of the Pfeffer-cell's membrane cannot cross it. However, if you place erythrocytes in an isoosmolar solution of urea, they will burst. This is, because urea can cross the cell membrane, taking water with it. The proteins in the cytosol, however, cannot cross. Thus, the iso-osmolar urea solution is actually hypotonic.

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Andy Parker  Follow

2 % boric acid has the same osmotic pressure as the contents of the blood cells as determined by the freezing point method, thus it is iso-osmotic with blood. But since it crosses the erythrocyte cells, it essentially acts like water (always hypotonic with blood) regardless of its concentration, causing hemolysis. Therefore, boric acid 2% is iso-osmotic with blood but never isotonic. In contrast to the eye membrane (mucous lining), which acts as a perfect semipermeable with boric acid, it does not allow its passage. Thus 2% boric acid is used as an isotonic eye solution.

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