I1i: Definitions; fluids & electrolytes

Terms

Mole

Defintion

SI unit for amount of a substance

The amount of  substance that contains the no. of molecules equal to Avogadro’s no.

Terms

Avogadros No.

Definition

The number of molecules in 1 mole of a substance (6 x 1023)

Terms

Molality

Definition

No. of moles of solute per kg of solvent

Terms

Molarity

Definition

No. of moles of solute per L of solution

Terms

Osmole

Definition

No. of moles that a solute contributes to the osmotic pressure of a solution

Terms

Osmotic P

Definition

= What drives osmosis

= The hydrostatic P required to oppose the movement of H2O through a semi-permeable membrane

= One of the colligative properties of a solution

= y x C/M x RT

  • y = no. of particles
  • c = [ ] (g/L)
  • M = MW of molecules
  • R = universal gas constant
  • T = absolute temp in Kelvin

Example

  • 1L water contains 1mol of NaCl
  • 1 mol NaCl = 2 osmoles of NaCl because NaCl dissociates completely
  • ∴1 mol Na + 1 mol Cl = 2 osmoles in 1L of solution = 2 osmoles/L

OSMOLALITY = no. of osmoles in weight (kg) of solvent

OSMOLARITY = no. of osmoles in volume (L) of solvent

  • You measure osmolality (kg in solvent) using OSMOMETER
  • You then use measured osmolality to calculate OSMOLARITY
  • Plasma Osmolarity = 280 – 300 mOsm/L

→ We tend to use milli-osmoles (mOsm) because such small no. we are measuring

OSMOLAR GAP = measured osmolality – calculated osmolarity

  • ≤ 10 difference because down [ ] particles are not measured e. (Ca, Mg & their anions)

TONICITY = Effective osmolality = the sum of the concentration of solutes which have the capacity to exert osmotic force across membrane