Filtration Definition

Filtration is the separating of substances based on their different physical and chemical qualities. Typically, we think of it
as the removal of solid particles from a mixture containing both solids and liquids. In this process, we refer to the collected
solid material as the residue and the fluid material as the filtrate. Usually, a tool that contains some form of pores is used,
which allows the fluid portion, but not the solid portion, to pass through. Different materials are used for the purpose of
filtration, including paper, sand, and cloth. Filtration also occurs naturally in our bodies, for example in the kidneys, where
the blood is filtered in a process called glomerular filtration.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Functions of Filtration
Filtration has many different uses, such as the cleaning of water, like river water, from impurities. It can also be used for
sterilization without the use of heat, as long as the filter’s pores are small enough to catch the microorganisms. Keep in
mind that this process will not kill the microorganisms since it does not make use of heat.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hyperosmotic Definition
Hyperosmotic can refer to solutions that have increased osmotic pressure, or a greater difference between solutes and
solutions between a membrane.
In other instances, hyperosmotic refers to a solution that has more solutes, or components of a solution, than a similar
solution.
The term hyperosmotic is derived from the Greek words hyper, which means “excessive,” and osmos, which means “push,
thrust, or impulse.”

Examples of Hyperosmotic
 Cells Becoming Smaller

Science tells us every living object is made of cells. Solids, liquids, and gasses are essentially made of the same materials,
in different concentrations.
Obviously, this means that solid things, like glass, wood, and even humans have a very high concentration of cellular
matter. Furthermore, only drastic measures, like cutting, breaking, or burning, can permanently change a solid’s shape,
weight, or size.
The characteristics of solid objects seem consistent. However, cells are not solid, despite their ability to make solid objects.
Besides their selectively-permeable membranes, human cells, for example, are filled with a viscous liquid called plasma.
If this plasma exerts more pressure on the inner wall of the cell than the outer wall of the cell, the cell retains its shape.
Hypothetically, however, placing a human – or, more specifically, a human cell – into a solution with a higher viscosity, or
a higher concentration of plasma-like materials, may shrink what was once unshrinkable. This is because the solution is
hyperosmotic, in that it has a higher concentration of the plasma-like solute, to human cells.
Because the hyperosmotic exterior plasma solution exerts more pressure on the outside of the cell wall than the cell
plasma solution itself can, on the interior cell wall, the cell wall will constrict until the pressures of both the exterior and
the interior plasma solutions reach equilibrium, or become equal. In simpler terms, the cell shrinks.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hyposmotic
1. Of, relating to, or characterized by having a lower osmotic pressure than a surrounding fluid under comparison.

2. A condition in which the total amount of solutes (both permeable and impermeable) in a solution is lower than that of
another solution.
Supplement
For instance: In kidneys, the tubular fluid is: - iso-osmotic (to plasma) when it is at the beginning of the loop of henle -
hyperosmotic (to plasma) when it is at the tip of the loop - hyposmotic (to plasma) when it leaves the loop

Word origin: G. hypo: under, below + osmotic: relating to osmosis.

Related forms: hyposmotically (adverb).

Related phrases: hyposmotic solution.

Alternative forms: hypoosmotic.

Compare: hyperosmotic, iso-osmotic.

Hypo-osmotic-Solution which has a lower osmotic pressure compared to the other solution.

What is Isosmotic?
Isosmotic is when two solutions have the same number of solutes. Thus despite the fact that they have the same osmotic
pressure as the cell, they surround. They contain penetrating solutes that can enter and increase the osmotic pressure of
the cell. When the osmotic pressure of the cell increases causing the cell to absorb water from the medium, it reaches
equilibrium and osmotic pressure equals on both sides. This may have an effect on the cell so that it may burst finally.

For example, sucrose is a solution that has no ions. A solution of sucrose that is 320 mM is isosmotic for human beings.
Comparing this sucrose solution with 154mM NaCl solution, it reveals that it is 154 mMsodium (Na) and 154 mMchloride
(Cl) or about 308 milliosmolar which is close to 320 milliosmolar for sucrose.

What is the Difference Between Isotonic and Isosmotic?

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. Therefore, Isotonic solutions contain only non-penetrating
solutes whereas Isosmotic solutions contain both penetrating as well as non-penetrating solutes.

With consideration to the relationship these two solution types have with the osmotic pressure, Isotonic solutions have
different osmotic pressures from the cells they surround. On the contrary, Isosmotic solutions have same osmotic pressure
as the cells they surround. Furthermore, Isotonic solutions do not cause the cells to absorb water from surrounding or to
lose water from cells. However, Isosmotic solutions cause cells to absorb water from surrounding or to lose water from
cells.

Summary – Isotonic vs Isosmotic

The terms isotonic and isosmotic are useful in describing the properties of body fluids. Both terms, isotonic expresses the
idea of having same solute concentrations while the term isosmotic expresses the idea of having equal osmotic pressures.
The difference between isotonic and isosmotic is that isotonic solutions contain only non-penetrating solutes whereas
isosmotic solutions contain both penetrating as well as non-penetrating solutes.

1. Hyperosmotic: solution with the greater concentration of solute ( salt water compared to fresh water). If a cell from a
salt water fish is placed in a beaker of fresh water, the cell is said to be hyperosmotic to the water.

2. Hypo-osmotic: solution with a lesser concentration of solute ( fresh water compared to salt water). If a cell from a fresh
water fish is placed into a beaker of salt water, the cell is said to be hypoosmotic to the water.

3. Isosmotic: solutions of equal solute concentrations are said to be isosmotic.