Molarity

Definition

Molarity (M) is a measure of the concentration of a solute in a solution, expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution. It is commonly used to quantify the concentration of substances in biological and chemical processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Molarity helps determine osmotic pressure, which affects water movement across cell membranes.
2. High molarity solutions can draw water out of cells, leading to cell shrinkage.
3. Low molarity solutions can cause water influx into cells, potentially causing them to burst.
4. In kidney function, maintaining proper molarity in blood and urine is crucial for osmoregulation.
5. Calculating molarity involves dividing the number of moles of solute by the volume of the solution in liters.

Review Questions

• How does molarity affect osmotic balance in cells?
• What happens to a cell in a high molarity solution?
• How do you calculate the molarity of a solution?

Related terms

Osmosis: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Solute: A substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Osmoregulation:

The process by which organisms regulate the balance of water and electrolytes in their bodies to maintain homeostasis.