Posted: July 14th, 2022

Osmosis vs Tonicity and the Effect on Cells

Osmosis vs Tonicity and the Effect on Cells

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Osmosis vs Tonicity and the Effect on Cells
Research
Osmosis is the diffusion or passage of water through a semipermeable membrane. The movement of solvent molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration (Vujovic et al., 2018). For instance, red blood cells swell when exposed to freshwater while roots take up water from the soil. Another example involves fish absorbing water through the skin and gills. Tonicity is the ability of a solution surrounding a cell to cause the cell to gain or lose water (Ibarra & Foresto, 2021). One of the examples of tonicity is that saltwater fish cannot live in freshwater bodies and vice versa. A high saltwater fish has cells with high solute concentration to avoid losing water and dying of dehydration.
Critical Thinking
Osmosis and tonicity are important biological concepts to improve understanding of the movement of solvents in the body. Osmosis helps individuals to get nutrients from food in the intestines. The process is vital in understanding how the body gets waste out of the blood (Ibarra & Foresto, 2021). Balancing the levels of concentration is critical in the movement of solvents and executing body functions. Other examples of osmosis in the body include kidney analysis. Human beings use the knowledge of osmosis and tonicity to avoid dehydration (Ibarra & Foresto, 2021). It is essential to avoid exposure to high concentration fluids such as salty seawater. The water can cause skin problems since it leads to loss of water through the skin.
Connecting the Dots
Knowledge about osmosis and tonicity is critical in understanding the relationships between cells and solvents. The knowledge prevents the loss of water and absorption of essential fluids to facilitate the functions of the cells (Vujovic et al., 2018). Cells maintain shape and function when there is the optimal movement of solvents across semipermeable membranes (Vujovic et al., 2018). Maintaining fluid volume and pressure is essential in maintaining appropriate cell functionality and eliminating the risk of dehydration.

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References
Ibarra, L. E., & Foresto, E. (2021). An experimental approach to evaluate osmosis and tonicity on white blood cells by flow cytometry for biomedical physiology students. Journal of Biological Education, 1-14.
Vujovic, P., Chirillo, M., & Silverthorn, D. U. (2018). Learning (by) osmosis: an approach to teaching osmolarity and tonicity. Advances in physiology education, 42(4), 626-635.

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